013349 Research Design

This subjects builds on its prerequisite by developing competencies in designing and conducting research in education. Whereas the prerequisite subject introduced students to the range of perspectives or frameworks for research, this subject aims to deepen their understanding of research practice and methodological issues in educational research.

The subject makes a number of assumptions about the teaching of research to postgraduate students. It emphasises learning to design research as well as the exploration of methodology. It assumes that methodology encompasses more than technique, raising important questions about the philosophies, ethics and politics of research. The subject is designed in three concurrent strands which: ensure that researchers develop expertise in using a range of appropriate research techniques; assist them to propose, develop and critique a research design employing at least one major research method; and require them to identify a range of methodological issues raised by their proposed research.

Through exploration of relevant research perspectives and traditions and their associated methodologies, students define a research problematic and draw out the research issues this problematic implies. They design research to investigate these issues, seeking insights from different fields and identifying the methodological issues raised by the research approach taken. This thinking is brought together in a formal research proposal.

This subject contributes to the aim of deepening knowledge of research design and methodology. In doing so, it also contributes one of the components in a pathway to the MEd(Hons) research degree.