| Credit |
6 points |
| Availability |
Semester 1, Semester 2, non-standard teaching period, offshore teaching period |
| Old unit code |
300.631 |
| Outcomes |
Students develop a broad understanding of the nature and historical background of research in education with emphasis on the scientific method; quantitative research methods; qualitative research methods; and proposal development and the writing of research reports, with emphasis on master's dissertations and theses. |
| Content |
This unit provides an introduction to research methods (quantitative, qualitative and analytic-interpretive studies). There are five sections: (1) the nature and historical background of research in education; (2) an overview of quantitative research methods; (3) an overview of qualitative research methods; (4) an overview of research methods in the philosophical/historical domain; and (5) proposal development and the writing of research reports, with emphasis on master's dissertations and theses. |
| Assessment |
Each student undertakes a 5000-word project in a research area of their choice. The project should identify an area of research; identify within the area of research a research aim(s) and/or a research question(s); broadly sketch the context within which the research is located; give a general outline of some of the relevant literature; identify how data are to be collected and analysed; and indicate how ethical issues which arise in the research will be dealt with.
Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit. |
| Unit Co-ordinator(s) |
Winthrop Professor Keith Punch |
| Location |
UWA (Crawley), Hong Kong, Singapore |
| Mode |
on-campus |
| Unit Rules |
Contact hours—25 hrs (compressed unit, 11–15 January); or lectures/seminars: 2 hrs per week for 13 weeks; or offshore as required
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| Texts |
There are no prescribed texts. In the first and subsequent lecture sessions students are introduced to the sections of the Library dealing with the various aspects of the field of education studies. They become familiar with the location of relevant books, encyclopaedias, handbooks, other reference material and journals.
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Recommended
reading | |
Punch, K. F. Developing Effective Research Proposals: Sage Publications 2000
Punch, K. F. Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches: Sage Publications 2005
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- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change.
- Assistance with study skills, including English language skills, is available free of charge from Student Services for all enrolled students (see http://www.studentservices.uwa.edu.au/ss/learning). Student Services location: Second Floor, South Wing, Guild Village; telephone: 6488 2423.
- Books and other materials wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary Reading', 'Recommended Reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available at the University Co-operative Bookshop (from early January) and appropriate administrative offices for students to consult. For first-year units the Bookshop will endeavour to make available photocopies of book lists for individual units. Books marked with an asterisk (*) are available in paperback.
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