MA Education (Teaching Leaders)

KV712 Research Contexts

2013/ 2014
Tutors
Dr Keith Turvey
Checkland Building room: B327
email: [email protected]
Richard Wallis
Checkland Building room:A310
email: [email protected]
Andy Davies
Checkland Building room:A201
email: [email protected]
Irena Andrews
Checkland Building room: A103
email: I.L.Andrews @brighton.ac.uk
Aims of the Module
This module aims to support Teaching Leaders
(TL) Fellows to develop a research proposal
based around their work based enquiry
(Impact Initiative).
The module introduces research
methodologies and considers the ethical
concerns that relate to conducting research
in the context of level 7 practitioner research
activity.
It is supported by work in KV721 that
introduces the skills and knowledge necessary
to undertake effective literature searches to
support research and practice based study
and normally also includes participation at
Conference at the university.
What to expect in the module
In contact time tutors will lead and facilitate
learning sets; seminars; discussion of key
issues and preparation for assessment.
In non-contact time, TL Fellows will engage with
directed and non-directed reading, collection
and review of information, preparation for
assessment and the on-going development of
an online collaborative blog.
Learning Outcomes
TL Fellows will be able to:
1. demonstrate a critical understanding of
the relationship between theory, policy and
practice and the contribution of education
research to that relationship;
2. be aware of the role of practitioner research
in education and of the process required to
create a research proposal;
3. write an appropriate and manageable
research proposal that has potential to
impact on the students own practice and
understanding;
4. demonstrate understanding of the
development of a research strategy at
postgraduate level with selection of an
appropriate research methodology and
an awareness of methodological issues in
planning research;
5. demonstrate understanding of the ethical
issues that pertain to postgraduate research in
education
Assessment Task
TL Fellows will submit a research proposal to
include detailed rationale and methodological
discussion to demonstrate understanding of
the key concepts and aims developed in the
module. The proposal will prepare students
for their own research project and will provide
evidence of the quality of understanding of
research methodology, issues and concerns.
(3500-4000 words)
Some Starting Questions
Knowing yourself as a researcher will drive
both your choice of area of inquiry and the
approach you will take to research it
The nature of the question will drive the choice
of tools to explore your question
The MA will ensure that the research is
grounded in theory
Consider:
What you want to investigate and why?
What will be your methodology?
What research tools might you use?
University of Brighton
MA Education (Teaching Leaders)
KV712 Research Contexts 2013/14
1.
Assignment submission is via Turnitin, see
Studentcentral, Module KV712, Assessment.
The deadline is: by Thursday 21st August
2014 4.30pm (Please note: All extension
requests must be submitted to Irena Andrews,
as programme leader). Assignments will be
returned on Friday 26th September at 4.30pm.
Module Matters
Throughout this module you will be working
in groups and individually working both face-
to-face and online as you will see from the
programme. You will work collaboratively to
maintain and develop a blog using WordPress.
com. Tutors will also be using a group blog to
introduce the sessions and provide support
materials throughout the module at the
following link http://KV721.wordpress.com.
The professional blogs you create are intended
to help share experiences of effective practice
and track the development of your ideas.
However, it should be remembered at all
times that these are professional blogs and as
such TL Fellows are required to adhere to the
following code of conduct when updating and
posting.
Code of Conduct
TL Fellows should share general school-
based experiences and ideas focusing on
pedagogy and practice. The professional
blog is not a space for personal grievances or
concerns.
Anonymised photographs of, childrens
work, displays, planning ideas and
resources can be posted as long as relevant
permissions have been obtained and any
sources appropriately acknowledged.
Photographs of children are not permitted.
In any discussions or blog posts relating
to professional practice, specifc schools,
children or colleagues should not be
identifed by name or inference.
At all times TL Fellows should use
professional language and the use of
derogatory language or comments is
unacceptable.
University of Brighton
MA Education (Teaching Leaders)
KV712 Research Contexts 2013/14
2.
University of Brighton
MA Education (Teaching Leaders)
KV712 Research Contexts 2013/14
3.
Module outline
Session 1
May 17th
1000-1600
1000-1200 Introduction to module and link to module KV721
1200-1245 Lunch
1245-1500 Research Methodologies and Ethics in Education Research
1500-1530 Plenary
Follow up from today:
Read and blog response
Masters Conference
June 21st 1000-1500
Education Conference Falmer
1330-1500 Workshop Research Methods
Session 2
Introduction
July 19th 1100-1500
Developing the Research proposal
Assessment
Deadline
Submit module assessment
Thursday 21st August 2014 4.30pm via Turnitin
Reading List and Learning Support
Books:
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education, (6th ed.) London
& New York: Sage Publications
Gillham, B. (2008) Developing a questionnaire. (2nd ed.) London: Continuum
Gregory, I. (2003) Ethics in Research, London: Continuum
Holloway, W. & Jefferson, T. (2001) Doing Qualitative Research Differently Free Association,
Narrative & the Interview Method, London, Thousand Oaks, CA & New Delhi: Sage Publications
Litosseliti, L. (2003) Using Focus Groups in Research, London & New York: Continuum Books
King, N. and Horrocks, C. (2010) Interviews in qualitative research London : SAGE
Marshall, C. and Rossman, G.B. (2011) Designing qualitative research (5th ed.) London: Sage
McNamee, M. and Bridges, D.(2002) The Ethics of Educational Research (Eds) London:
Blackwell
Mason, J. (2002) Researching Your Own Practice The Discipline of Noticing, London & New
York: Routledge Falmer
Punch, K.F. (2010) Developing effective research proposals London: Sage
Pring, R. (2000) Philosophy of Educational Research, London & New York: Continuum Books
Reason, P. and Bradbury, H. (2008) The Sage handbook of action research: participative
inquiry and practice ( 2nd ed.) London : Sage
Ryan-Flood, R. and Gill, R. (2010) Secrecy and silence in the research process: feminist
refections London: Routledge
Journals:
Education Management
Comparative Education
Journal of Teacher Education
British Education Research Journal
Discipline-specifc and profession specifc professional journals
(Accessed April 2013)