EDR8801 Foundations of Research in Education

In Semester 3, 2023 this course will be delivered as a Transition (9 week) semester, commencing on 13 November 2023 and concluding on 12 January 2024.

It is important for Education practitioners to have a sound understanding of the foundations of research in Education in order to design a brief for a research study to be implemented in the future.

This course introduces learners to the nature and purpose of research in education; examines the underlying paradigms of research in education; and discusses the nature and purpose of a literature review in educational research. They will: explore the meaning of the term `research' as applied within education research; develop an understanding of themselves as a researcher; develop critical literacy skills; develop research questions as a response to the findings in literature review; and, develop skills in academic writing.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. have an understanding of what it is to be a researcher (Assignments 1);
2. critically analyse published literature related to research topics (Assignments 1 and 2);
3. collate an annotated bibliography on their research area of interest (Assignment 1)
4. synthesise literature to produce a logical and well-supported literature review (Assignment 2);
5. design a research question or questions based on a critical analysis of published academic and professional literature (Assignments 1 & 2);
6. use appropriate academic language and literacy, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and referencing (Assignments 1 and 2).