Educational Research
(Recognised by the ESRC)
Full time Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Part time Master in Education (MEd)
This Masters route provides a broad-based training in educational research which aims to help students:
- to become familiar with an appropriate range of intellectual and methodological traditions within the field;
- to become skilled and critical readers of educational research;
- to develop in-depth knowledge in depth of some substantive area of education and educational research;
- to develop their capacity to frame research questions and devise appropriate research designs;
- to develop confidence in using a range of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to gathering, analysing and interpreting evidence;
- to develop skills in using a range of technologies assisting data collection and data analysis;
- to develop their skills in presenting research-based evidence and argument;
- to gain practical experience of educational research through conducting a small-scale investigation.
The course consists of two levels. Level 1 (Introductory Research Module) sessions will offer a general introduction to different aspects of educational research. Level 2 (Intermediate Research Module) sessions are divided into two types: (1) the compulsory main programme of study sessions will offer foundations of educational research theory and practice; (2) the elective sessions will offer intermediate level topics built on the foundation sessions taught in Level 1. Students are required to take all Level 1 and Level 2 main programme sessions and should select a range of elective elements of the programme for the completion of the EdRes course. The guiding principles for selection of elective elements is that all students, irrespective of their route and course, should experience a broad programme of study. Selection of elective elements should be appropriate decision-making tools for both undertaking their own research and reading critically that reported by others. Students will be required to select 44 hours of the elective elements of the programme (i.e. 11 electives) in order to that students intending to undertake a particular mode of enquiry could focus more attention on their preferred methods within a framework that ensures a broad and balanced coverage. For details of assessment requirements on this course, please see programme aims.
The course is structured around six elements, all designed to facilitate students’ undertaking and reporting, by means of a thesis, a small-scale research study on a topic of their choice. The study will normally relate to the Faculty’s research interests and be supervised by an appropriate member of staff. To ensure that suitable supervision will be available, applicants should indicate the topic(s) in which they have an interest prior to admission. The six elements are as follows
Element 1: Research Aims, Strategies of Enquiry and Design
Explores the processes of framing research questions and devising appropriate strategies to investigate them. The sessions examine ways of framing creative and challenging research questions and devising appropriate research designs, and introduce students to reading, reviewing, critiquing, defending and synthesising published research studies. Through workshops, coursework and supervision, students are encouraged to enhance their own research proposals, relating these to the concepts and strategies introduced in sessions.
Element 2: Research Methods and Analysis
Examines a range of standard qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis, including interviews and focus groups, participant and structured observation, tests and questionnaires, texts and documents. Sessions analyse the key characteristics of each method and the principles underlying it, and examine an example of the method in action. Issues of sampling and access, of reliability and validity, and of ethical conduct are also considered.
Element 3: Research, Reporting and Presentation
Sessions consider such matters as research, presentation and the dissemination of research to users, the media and the public, advanced project management and teamworking and further professional and career development in research.
Element 4: Perspectives on Research Methodology
Extends students' knowledge, understanding, and capability to identify key characteristics of major approaches to social science, locates examples of educational research within different research paradigms, and raises some of the current debates and dilemmas about the nature of educational research.
Element 5: Issues in Data Analysis and Interpretation
Develops an appreciation of the significance of different epistemological positions for the choice of analytic procedures, and gives students opportunities to consider different types of data and data analysis in relation to principal paradigms, theoretical foundations, and issues of objectivity, subjectivity, and reflexivity. The unit focuses on both qualitative and quantitative approaches, and gives students hands-on experience of using computer packages for data management, analysis and presentation.
Element 6: Thesis Presentation
Aims to broaden awareness of the significance of educational research and to assist students to develop skills and understanding that will enable students to write their thesis.
There is an associated programme of workshops designed to support the effective use of library, information and audio-visual resources.
Application process and Fees
For more information on the application process, fees and entry requirements please see the MPhil pages if you are interested in full-time study or the MEd pages if you are interested in part-time study.
Masters Route Co-ordinators:
Pamela Burnard and Paul Andrews