Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This three-stage unit builds on the understandings developed in the unit Introduction to Research Methods in Education (EDB410). In the course of this unit you will complete a dissertation. The dissertation reports a research project conducted with the guidance of an academic supervisor. It should make a contribution to education knowledge. You will critically analyse and evaluate existing knowledge about a problem of interest to you and design and conduct a research project investigating the problem. Your conclusions should include implications for better educational practice. This unit provides you with opportunities to develop research skills that are increasingly important for teachers in an era when schools, professional associations and other educational settings are becoming important sites of knowledge production. The unit also provides an excellent base on which to build further study, including research higher degrees in Education.

Aims

The unit aims to provide you with an opportunity to complete a dissertation. With an academic supervisor, you will design, conduct and report a research project in your area of interest.

Objectives

Upon completion of the unit, you should have built your capabilities as a reflective practitioner and effective communicator who demonstrate skill in:
(1) gathering, forming and critiquing knowledge from research reports. [EPA 1.1]
(2) seeking knowledge through the practices and inquiry modes of a scholar-educator-researcher [EPA 1.4] by:
i.identifying and investigating a research problem
ii. applying an appropriate research design and associated methods rigorously
iii. conducting the research project in an ethical fashion [EPA 4.1]
iv. drawing appropriate conclusions and indicating the significance of the findings for educational practice and research
v. reporting the research in a scholarly fashion appropriate to the disciplinary area.

Content

You have been encouraged to think about a suitable dissertation topic from the commencement of your research methods unit, Introduction to Research Methods in Education (EDB410). In the Dissertation unit, you are expected to develop your understanding by further reading, conducting the research, and writing your dissertation.

During the Dissertation unit, you will complete modules of coursework focused on advanced information retrieval methods and academic writing. With your supervisor, you will determine additional content to enable you to complete the dissertation.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The BEd Research Pathways Coordinator will assist you to identify an appropriate academic supervisor. A recommendation concerning appointment of the supervisor will be made by the relevant Head of School to the Faculty Research Committee through the Research Pathway Coordinator.

Students will meet regularly with the appointed academic supervisor. The Research Pathway Coordinator will maintain regular communication with you to support and monitor the timely progress of your research.

Assessment

Assessment for this unit consists of a scholarly dissertation report of 15 000 to 20 000 words that uses referencing appropriate to the discipline. Dissertation examination and other procedures will comply with the provisions of the document, EDB411 Rules and Regulations, approved by the BEd Course Coordination Committee. This document will be made available to you at the beginning of the unit.

Assessment name: Scholarly Dissertation report
Description: Length: 15 000 - 20 000 words
Due: This unit will be completed over two or three semesters depending on your course. To accommodate varying enrolment patterns, three 12 credit point unit codes are available, namely EDB411/1, Dissertation Stage 1; EDB411/2, Dissertation Stage 2; and EDB411/3, Dissertation Stage 3. Subject to satisfactory progress having been made, a grade of 'T' will be awarded in all stages until the completion of EDB411/3, which will result in a final grade (1-7 scale) being awarded once the dissertation has been assessed.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: TBA

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

In consultation with your supervisor you will undertake readings from professional and academic sources related to your research problem, the design and methods of your project, and any other specific readings required to complete the project. To complete the information retrieval and academic writing modules, you might also be required to undertake readings made available by the module teachers.

Risk assessment statement

The risks associated with this unit will vary according to the nature of your individual research project. You will be expected to manage these risks with the guidance of your supervisor, and in accord with relevant QUT ethical approval procedures.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 30-Oct-2012