Methodology of Educational Research I

Year
1
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
01009688
Subject Area
Education Sciences
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
Face-to-face
Duration
SEMESTRIAL
ECTS Credits
6.0
Type
Compulsory
Level
1st Cycle Studies

Recommended Prerequisites

It is important to have already accomplished the curricular unit “Applied Statistics to Education”, even though it is not a mandatory pre-requisite for this curricular unit.

Teaching Methods

1. Lecture method (mainly in more theorethical classes), followed by examples of scientific research projects done in the education field. It is very important in this cu to foster knowledge transference and its aplicability for intervention.

2. In more pratical classes, it will be used pedagogical strategies like:

- Group work.

- Individual work related to statistical data analysis and interpretation.

All lecture’s moments, even at more theorethical classes,  will be accompanied by the presentation of concrete examples for discussion.

Learning Outcomes

In this unit “Research Methods in Education I” students should be able to:(1)understand the nature of research in education and social sciences in general;(2)know the quantitative research plans and how to apply them;(3)identify the methodological difficulties inherent in the different plans,(4)know how to properly design and plan a quantitative research in education;(5)learn how to rigorously write a scientific report;(6)read and critically analyse the report of a scientific research.

Since this is the 1st cu of Research Methodology in the curriculum of the 1stcycle of studies, all issues/themes approached throughout the semester,are part of the quantitative positivist research paradigm.In all classes,theoretical lecturing is accompanied by practical examples of research in education in order to clarify the applicability of knowledge to the real work of researchers in the field.

Attendance at classes is extremely important to be able to develop critical thinking on these topics.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.Introduction to scientific thinking: essential concepts.

2.The process of quantitative research in education: scientific problems, hypotheses, plans, data collection instruments, data analysis techniques, interpretation of results

3.Quantitative research plans: its main characteristics, strengths and weaknesses

4.Criteria for choosing a concrete scientific design depending on the problem to be studied.

5. Issues concerning validity of a scientific research: threats to internal and external validity of scientific studies.

6. Fidelity of a scientific research.

7. Quantitative tools of data collection: variety, features, advantages and disadvantages of each tool.

8. Sampling techniques.

9. Ethical issues in conducting an investigation.

10. Literature review: main sources.

11. Testing of hypotheses and its relationship with descriptive and inferential statistics.

12. Writing a scientific report: its essential components.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria da Piedade Simões Santana Pessoa Vaz Rebelo

Assessment Methods

Continuous evaluation
Frequency: 50.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 50.0%

Final evaluation
Exam: 100.0%

Bibliography

Ary, D. et al. (1990).Introduction to research in education.Forth Worth: Holt, Rin. and Winston, Inc.

Creswell, J. W. (2012).Educational Research(4th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Fraenkel, J. R., &Wallen, N. E.(2003).How to design and evaluate research in education (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

McMillan, J. H.,& Schumacher, S.(1989).Research in education: A conceptual introduction. Glenview: Scott, Foresman and Company

Tuckman, B. W. (2002).Manual de investigação em educação. Lisboa: Fund. Calouste Gulbenkian.

Vieira, C.C.(1995).Investigação quantitativa e investigação qualitativa: Uma abordagem comparativa. Provas de Aptidão Pedagógica e Capacidade Científica apresentadas à FPCE-UC.

Vogt, W. P.(1993).Dictionary of statistics and methodology: A nontechnical guide for the social sciences.London: Sage Publ.

Field, A. ( 2005).Discovering statistics using SPSS (2nd ed). London: SAGE.

 Tabachnick, B.,& Fidel, L. (2001). Using multivariate statistics. Needham Heights, MA: Pearson Allyn & Bacon.