Course Outline

EDN702 Designing Research

Course Coordinator:Margaret Marshman (mmarshma@usc.edu.au) School:School of Education and Tertiary Access

2025Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course, you will produce a postgraduate practitioner education research project description and ethics application. Through a series of modules, you will explore specific aspects of developing a research proposal including conducting a critical review of the literature, managing references, considering research ethics, framing the research topic into a defined research question and designing the research study. You will explore the use of practitioner research to investigate research problems in education and create a research project. You will develop skills in assessing published literature, identifying research gaps and developing a theoretically sound and ethical research study design.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – You are required to engage and interact with asynchronous materials and activities accessed through Canvas modules, course readings and required texts. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – A blended learning approach is used to deliver the writing group workshop component of this course. The writing group is synchronous technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – A blended learning approach is used to deliver the workshop 2 component of the course. The workshop is synchronous using technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Independent Study/Research – In addition to engaging with the learning materials and workshop sessions, and completing the assessable tasks, you are required to engage in self-directed learning using the Canvas course modules and current research/reading via UniSC library databases, and the required/recommended textbooks and resources. 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Online
Learning materials – You are required to engage and interact with asynchronous materials and activities accessed through Canvas modules, course readings and required texts. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – The writing group is synchronous technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – The workshop is synchronous using technology-enabled learning and teaching experience that involves on-campus and online students simultaneously. 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Independent Study/Research – In addition to engaging with the learning materials and workshop sessions, and completing the assessable tasks, you are required to engage in self-directed learning using the Canvas course modules and current research/reading via UniSC library databases, and the required/recommended textbooks and resources. 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

  • Practitioner research in education
  • Critically appraisal and management of research literature
  • Generate a research problem and questions for practitioner research
  • Design research – methodology, methods and techniques for generating and analysing data
  • Ethical research processes and reflexivity
  • Practitioner research project and ethics application

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

24 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify and critically read contemporary education research and synthesise research, policy and practice. Creative and critical thinker
2 Investigate and evaluate advanced knowledge of complex contested educational concepts, theories and practices involved in education practitioner research that contributes towards social justice or sustainability in education. Knowledgeable
Empowered
Sustainability-focussed
3 Identify, apply and manage ethical issues in practitioner educational research and practice. Empowered
Ethical
4 Apply reflexive research practice to plan and design independent practitioner research. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
5 Generate and communicate practitioner research plans. Empowered
Ethical
Engaged

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Enrolled in Program ED705

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress


            

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 25%
2,000 words
Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral and Written Piece Individual 25%
10-minute presentation and 2-page summary plus reference list
Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Written Piece Individual 50%
5, 000 words
Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Practitioner research
Goal:
The goal of this task is to demonstrate your researcher reflexivity and understanding of contemporary concepts, theories and practices involved in practitioner research and contemporary issues in education to propose a research topic.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Prepare a scholarly reflective written text that critically engages with:
- contribution of practitioner research to social justice or sustainability in education
- the education context for your practitioner research
- an evaluation of three contemporary educational issues that could be investigated in your practitioner context (consider impetus, contemporary literature and context requirements)
- justify one practitioner research topic.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification and evaluation of practitioner research contribution to social justice, sustainability and contemporary education issues
1 2
2
Application of reflexivity to the evaluation of educational issues and topic
4
3
Generation of communication with integrity
5
Generic Skills:
Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Presentation of Research Overview
Goal:
The goal of this task is to present your research design to colleagues and engage in a reflexive scholarly research conversation.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Present a 10-minute audio-visual/ multimedia overview of your research design supported by a two-page summary plus reference list.
Your research design overview and summary should communicate:
• Background to your problem
• Research question/ focus questions and significance
• Relevant research literature and/or theory
• Data generation and analysis
• Research rigour and ethical practices
• Reference list
Sharing your research design with your peers provides an opportunity to engage in researcher reflexivity and scholarly conversations. Engagement in this way will enable you to use the feedback to clarify your research design reflexively.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Identification and critical analysis of research focus and design
1 2
2
Identification, application and management of ethical issues
3
3
Application of researcher reflexivity
4
4
Generation of communication with integrity
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving
All - Assessment Task 3:Research project description and ethics application
Goal:
The goal of this task is to develop an independent practitioner research project description and ethics application.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Generate a research project description and all documents required for ethical clearance for the project at both the university and study site location. Begin the process with the development o the project description using the human research ethics description/protocol template. You will generate a project description following the Australian National Ethics Application Form (NEAF) requirements, UniSC human ethics procedures and any other relevant ethics requirements for the study site. For example, all other documents, including research data generation tools or questions, recruitment and content documentation, consent forms, need to be finalised in the format for submission for ethical approval.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application and evaluation of complex educational concepts, theories, practices and literature
2
2
Planned an independent, self-directed practitioner research study
4
3
Justification of research design and methods
1
4
Application of ethical research protocols
3
5
Generation of communication with integrity
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Zina O'Leary 2021 The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project 4th Sage Publications Limited
Required James Williams 2020 How to Read and Understand Educational Research n/a SAGE Publications Limited
Required Inger Mewburn,Katherine Firth,Shaun Lehmann 0 How to Fix Your Academic Writing Trouble: A pracrical guide n/a Open University Press

Specific requirements

It is expected that you will require Internet access and a personal computer. Recommendations from information and technology services are available via the Student Portal if you search for computer specifications. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is necessary for each class session. Access to a mobile device with a camera and microphone is recommended for participation in online sessions.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au