EDU9601 Preliminary Research and Pilot Study (FOEDU)

Units 2.0 (Education Studies) Band 5

State law in Queensland (Australia) requires that all adults working/undertaking professional experience/researching with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland are required to possess a current suitability card (Blue Card). (See "Other Requirements" for further information.) Also see: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html

Synopsis

The major goal of this course is for students to carry out preliminary research and pilot study that will inform in some way their subsequent proposal for their major research in the Doctor of Education program. It follows on from the previous course EDU8603 "Research Methods and Critical Inquiry" in which students gain advanced knowledge and skills in research/evaluation applicable to their topic and field of study and in which they prepare a preliminary research proposal for a pilot study. This pilot work serves a dual purpose. Firstly it allows students to put their research skills into practice by implementing a pilot study. Secondly, it provides an opportunity for them to develop or investigate a specific aspect of their major research study prior to their writing of their research proposal proper and the conduct of their proposal defence. This pilot work may involve such activities as the development and trial of a data collection instrument, the conduct of preliminary interviews or observations, or other exploratory data collection and analysis. Students are allocted an advisor but may also participate in collaborative problem-solving research groupings of students and staff during the course. The course will promote and apply the skills required for proposing, conducting and reporting research in education.