| 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: No |
| 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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| 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: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S4, A2 | Mid-term Quiz | Quiz | 30-40% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2 | Problem-based assignment | Written Report | 60-70% |
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