Advanced Educational Research is a core research course in the School of Education that builds on the Introduction to Educational and Social Research course.

Monday evenings, 5pm to 7pm (6 sessions) plus 2 Sturday workshops 10am to 2pm.

The summative assessment instruments will be equivalent to a single written assignment of 4000 words.

a. 2000 word practical analysis, interpretation and presentation of qualitative dataset (50%)
b. 2000 word practical analysis, interpretation and presentation of quantitative dataset (50%)

The overall aim of the course is to provide students with the depth of understanding and comprehensive skill set needed to conduct educational enquiry. This includes the aims to:

1. build on the knowledge base acquired from Introduction to Educational and Social Research

2. develop the understanding required to select and apply diverse and appropriate methods of enquiry
3. deepen knowledge of the way different methods relate to wider philosophical, ethical and social
concerns
4. equip students with the skills of data collection (primary and secondary), analysis, interpretation and presentation needed to apply and evaluate appropriate qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods of educational enquiry
5. provide experience in using analytical software packages for qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods educational enquiry
6. support the development of strategies for project management and research design and evaluation of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods in educational enquiry
7. increase knowledge of dissemination procedures

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Knowledge and Understanding

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

-recognise the assumptions and premises underlying different approaches to enquiry and diverse conceptions of evidence
-analyse the way approaches to enquiry relate to wider societal and philosophical questions
-discuss the underpinning key strategic assumptions, including conceptual, qualitative, quantitative, critical, historical and mixed-method approaches to educational enquiry
-demonstrate familiarity with, and competence in computer based approaches to data analysis (primarily SPSS and nVivo)

2. Skills and Other Attributes

a. Subject-specific/practical skills

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

- design and carry out an educational enquiry project using appropriate quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods approach
-analyse the data gathered in a responsible and reflective way (if empirical)
-critically evaluate the research of others across a range of empirical and conceptual approaches
-draw appropriate, authorised and well-justified conclusions
-develop a plan for dissemination of outcomes to appropriate stakeholders
-understand the presentation of educational enquiry in a clear and concise manner

b. Intellectual skills

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

-understand the wider significance of enquiry procedures
-make decisions regarding the appropriate enquiry strategy for a given project and context
-describe the process of ensuring that the chosen strategy of enquiry fits the question/topic under investigation
-understand and solve problems that arise in the course of data collection and analysis and during conceptual enquiry
-critically reflect on the enquiry process

c. Transferable/key skills

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

-employ standard conventions for citation and referencing consistently whilst avoiding plagiarism
-prepare a well justified plan for an educational enquiry project
-analyse the form and application of research based evidence for educational practice and policy

None