Research methods in education

The aim of this course is to provide the students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for conducting quality research in the field of education. Course prepares students to become critical readers of research in the area of education, who are sensitive ethical aspects of research.

This course stresses the scientific aspects of research in the field of education. The strengths and limitations of various educational research designs/methods will be emphasized.

The course provides the students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary for conducting quality research in the field of education. Course prepares students to become critical readers of research in the area of education, who are sensitive ethical aspects of research.

Students are encouraged to design studies that address important and current educational issues, gather data to shed light on these issues, analyze these data, and derive conclusions based on their analyses.

Topics to be covered include:

 Purposes and types of educational research

 Ethical issues in educational research

 Steps in carrying out a research study

 Qualitative research and its research methods

 Quantitative research and its research methods

Cohen, Manion & Morisson,( 2007). Research Methods in Education. Routledge: London

Gay, L.R., & Mills, G.E., & Airasian, P. (2006). Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application, (8th ed.). Saddle River. NJ: Pearson Prentice-Hall.

Mackay, A.& Gass, S. (2012). Research Methods in Education: A Practical Guide. Wiley-Blackwell: London

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

 analyze the underlying epistemological and paradigmatic implications of research designs,

 characterize the main research methods in education,

 formulate the principles of the usage and the strengths and limitations of research methods in education,

 become acquainted with ethical issues in educational research,

 recognize the ethical aspects of research in education.

1) Attendance and Participation: Students expecting to receive course credit will need to attend classes, work their way through the suggested readings, complete several assignments, and actively participate in class.

2) Assignments: Assignments will be given each class. Some will be reading/writing assignments, others will require gathering, analyzing, and summarizing data.

3) Group work: Students will be expected to give a presentation on the chosen research methods in education and an aspect of the research they conduct in this class.

The assumed learning outcomes will be verified as follows:

1) Assessment of active participation of students in the conducted classes, with attention paid to active participation in: (i) discussions in class, (ii) group work.

2) Evaluation of the class presentation on the chosen research method in education. The presentation will be prepared in the groups of 4-5 students