University of Zululand

Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Research Methodology

Education, Training and Development - Schooling

Purpose and Rationale

Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Research Methodology

Purpose:

The purpose of this Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Research Methodology is to deepen the theoretical and empirical know-how and critical appreciation of educational research. It is the first research-based postgraduate qualification emphasizing foundations for research-based postgraduate studies in education. The qualification aims to deepen theoretical and empirical knowledge and critical understanding of research while cultivating suitable research capacity in the field of Education nationally.

Learning Outcomes:

Qualifying learners will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of theories, concepts, and praxis in educational research
  • Identify ethical foundations and address ethical issues in diverse contexts
  • Apply specialized academic writing skills appropriate for the Postgraduate level
  • Identify and analyze complex research instruments and methods suitable for educational research
  • Evaluate and critique research methodologies at an advanced level
  • Produce a manuscript communicating theoretical and empirical findings, research designs, data analysis, and conclusions creatively

Rationale:

This qualification aligns with national policy imperatives in Higher Education, such as the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF: 2013) and Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (MRTEQ). Aligned with MRTEQ, it intensifies knowledge construction and research capacity part of the educational planning and policy development pathway. The qualification includes theoretical and research foci on teaching and learning aspects, contributing to advancing postgraduate scholarships in research.

Target Audience:

Traditional potential learners for this qualification are education qualifying learners or practicing educators at NQF Level 8, or anyone meeting the minimum requirements for registration.

This qualification offers six (6) core compulsory modules, culminating in an independent research project in the learner's specialization within Education sub-disciplines. Learners will become academically self-determining, equipped with research methodologies, designs, and techniques, able to apply educational theories, concepts, and ethics independently.

Forms of learning related to knowledge acquisition, integration, and application will culminate in the independent research project in Education.

Outcomes

  1. Understand the theories, concepts and praxis in educational research and identify the epistemological, axiological and ontological standpoints of theories and concepts that are appropriate for Educational research.
  2. Display a thoughtful understanding of ethical foundations, detect and address ethical issues by presenting the appropriateness of diverse ethical value systems to specific contexts.
  3. Apply a range of specialised academic writing skills appropriate at the postgraduate level, communicating using academic texts to a range of audience or readership and unveiling creative mindfulness robustly and rigorously.
  4. Identify and analyse the use of complex research instruments that could be appropriate for studies in educational research and uncover a wide spectrum of methods and techniques for data collection or data construction.
  5. Evaluate, reflect and critique research methodologies and techniques appropriate for educational research at an advanced level.
  6. Produce a manuscript or an intellectual piece by conducting an independent research project in the chosen field of education.

Assessment Criteria

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1: Display knowledge and understanding of theory and praxis in research

  • Advanced Knowledge Base: Understand the meaning and purpose of theory in scientific knowledge production.
  • Relationship Understanding: Demonstrate how theory, research question, method, and data interpretation are interconnected in a study.
  • Analysis Skills: Develop skills to analyze and argue for the choice and use of theory in scientific texts.
  • Debate Abilities: Display the ability to analyze and debate the choice of theory with specific research questions.
  • Research Paradigms: Differentiate between research paradigms that influence research framework development.
  • Application Proficiency: Demonstrate the application of theory, methodology, and research techniques in educational research.
  • Logic Presentation: Present the logic of theoretical and methodological positions in educational research.
  • Education Connection: Explain the relationship between education, theory, educational theory, research, and practice.
  • Theoretical Debate: Deliberate on concepts like discourse, knowledge, learning, pedagogy, and curriculum in education theory.
  • Knowledge Evaluation: Evaluate various sources of knowledge in education and critique knowledge production processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Understand the importance of applying ethical principles during empirical study

  • Ethical Overview: Acquire an overview of important research ethics issues.
  • Discussion Skills: Demonstrate skills in presenting discussions and conclusions of ethical studies.
  • Regulation Understanding: Appreciate the rules and regulations managing ethical issues.
  • Value System Assessment: Present the appropriateness of diverse ethical value systems in specific contexts.
  • Ethical Application: Apply ethical conventions for human participants in data collection.
  • Critical Reflection: Identify and address ethical issues based on reflection on different ethical systems.
  • Professionalism: Demonstrate advanced skills in observing ethical protocols in professional and research ethics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Use writing and reading for inquiry

  • Interaction Awareness: Understand how writers, texts, and readers interact.
  • Structural Understanding: Knowledge of basic essay structures and appropriate grammatical and lexical choices.
  • Writing Process: Employ writing stages like pre-writing, writing, and re-writing.
  • Audience Adaptation: Ability to write for an academic audience.
  • Citation Skills: Use correct citation styles and avoid plagiarism.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Construct and administer different research tools or instruments

  • Instrument Construction: Demonstrate knowledge and construction of research instruments.
  • Methodological Expertise: Show specialised methodological knowledge of research instruments.
  • Principles Formulation: Identify and formulate principles for constructing research instruments.
  • Interview Skills: Demonstrate required skills for interviews in participatory research.
  • Questionnaire Competence: Ability in constructing and applying research questionnaires.
  • Observation Preparation: Prepare an observation schedule.
  • Rating Scale Explanation: Explain the difference between rating scales.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Apply appropriate research methodologies and techniques for educational research

  • Methodology Critique: Critically reflect on and evaluate research methodologies.
  • Research Capacity: Display readiness for post-graduate studies and advanced research.
  • Theoretical Engagement: Show high-level theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
  • Reflection Abilities: Demonstrate advanced reflection and development in research methods.
  • Conduct and Report: Ability to conduct and report research effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Prepare a basic research proposal

  • Research Study Conduct: Conduct a full-fledged research study.
  • Independent Report: Produce and defend an independent mini research report.
  • Responsibility Demonstration: Take full responsibility for work, decision-making, and resource use.
  • Capacity Display: Exhibit research capacity in the discipline's methodology and techniques.

Integrated Assessment

  • Compliance: Assessment will comply with institutional policies.
  • Continuous Assessment: Include integrated continuous assessments for demonstrating competences.
  • Module Variety: Modules will have a mix of assessment tasks such as tests, case studies, presentations, essays, etc.
  • Research Methodology Module: Includes tasks like literature review, research instrument design, report writing, and research proposal drafting.

Formative and Summative Assessment

  • Formative Opportunities: Learners prepare presentations and written pieces for discussion as part of formative assessment.
  • Final Examination: At the end of the program, a final exam and research report submission are required for summative assessment.

Qualification Details

Type
Honours Degree
NQF Level
08
Min. Credits
120
SAQA Source
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University of Zululand
Description
The University of Zululand is a comprehensive university located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was established in 1960 and is one of the oldest universities in the province. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, science, commerce, education, and law. It is known for its commitment to providing quality education and promoting research and innovation. The university also has a strong focus on community engagement and strives to contribute to the development of the region and the country as a whole.

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