| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Education, Arts & Community |
| Unit Title: | Qualitative Research Methods in Education |
| Unit ID: | EDMED7056 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 070303 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit introduces students to the core qualitative, naturalistic and ethnographic research methodologies that are typically adopted in educational research. On completion of the unit, students will better understand how complex, multiple realities can be researched. Students will be able to apply the fundamentals of methodologies such as narrative research, ethnographies, critical theory, participant observation methods, human-environment interaction, interview methods, phenomenology, action research, and mixed methods. Students will understand processes involved in conducting qualitative research, and appreciate limitations (e.g. generalisability). Students will learn when to choose a particular qualitative technique, e.g. interviews, focus groups, observations, and the ethical considerations in each type of method. They will explore what a case study is and what can be in it. Students will develop their academic reading and writing ability with respect to qualitative research by engaging critically with published research. This subject supports student preparation for their Professional Inquiry or Minor Thesis projects. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | |  | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Examine and apply the conventions of academic reading and writing in qualitative educational research |
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| K2. | Consider the applicabilty of qualitative research methodologies and designs to particular research questions |
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| K3. | Consider issues that present in qualitative research, such as subjective meaning, representation and the inherent challenges of generalisability |
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| K4. | Examine and interpret the general and unique processes and themes of ethical research in the Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Adult Education sectors |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Analyse data using common qualitative techniques |
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| S2. | Critically engage with existing bodies of knowledge in a specialist field of education |
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| S3. | Develop initial research skills, e.g. finding research, framing a research question, researching, developing a literature review, thematic coding |
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| S4. | Connect data collection and research goals with appropriate methodologies |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Read and write academically at a high level, e.g. on a research topic in a chosen area of educational specialisation |
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| A2. | Critically evaluate published research in a specialised field of education |
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| Other outcomes: |
| Unit Content: |
•The nature of qualitative research and what distinguishes it
•Quantitative, naturalistic and ethnographic research
• Reflexivity in research
•How to develop a ‘researchable’ qualitative question.
•Action research
•Case studies and participant observation methods
•Ethnographies (e.g., critical ethnography, autoethnography, virtual ethnography)
•Narrative research, thematic and discourse analysis and coding
•Interviewing and focus group methods across age groups
•Data display and data reduction
•The structure of qualitative research papers
•Academic reading and writing |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students at this level will demonstrate an advanced ability in a range of contexts to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display high level skills in-person and/or online in: • Using and demonstrating a high level of verbal and non-verbal communication • Demonstrating a mastery of listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Demonstrating and showing empathy for others • High order skills in negotiating and conflict resolution skills\\ • Demonstrating mastery of working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery in professional skills and behaviours in leading others. • Creating and sustaining a collegial environment • Demonstrating a high level of self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect and justify decisions • Inspiring and initiating opportunities to lead others • Making informed professional decisions • Demonstrating initiative in new professional situations. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students at this level will demonstrate high level skills in working in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically to generate and consider complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level • Analysing complex and abstract ideas, concepts and information • Communicate alternative perspectives to justify complex ideas • Demonstrate a mastery of challenging conventional thinking to clarify complex concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving to new situations for further learning. | 1 - Yes | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students at this level will demonstrate the ability to work competently across a wide range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Mastering, exploring, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information professionally • Collating, managing complex data, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding professionally to messages in a range of professional digital media • Contributing competently and professionally to digital teams and working groups • Participating at a high level in digital learning opportunities. | 2 - No | FEDTASK 5
sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students at this level will demonstrate a mastery of considering and assessing the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting professional ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Demonstrate informed judgment making that considers the impact of devising complex solutions in ambiguous global economic environmental and societal contexts • Professionally committing to the promulgation of social responsibility • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Communicating lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to the diverse professional others • Generating, leading and implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life | 1 - Yes |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | Professional Standards |
| 1. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S4, A2 |
Mid-term Quiz |
Quiz |
30-40% |
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| 2. |
K1, K2, K3, K4, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2 |
Problem-based assignment |
Written Report |
60-70% |
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