Introduction to Educational Research

This course is offered within S2IME International Master's Programme in Educational Research, 120 hec.

To be eligible for the course, a good first cycle degree in Social Sciences with a minimum of 60 credits in Education, or equivalent is required. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6 or English, level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The course introduces educational research as scholarly effort and as academic discipline. The purpose of educational research is discussed. Educational research is exemplified in lectures and through reading, including studies that investigate the sustainability and globalisation of education. The course will encourage students to think critically and to engage in active and constructive critique of educational research. Students will furthermore discuss the nature of ’good’ educational research by identifying and discussing key attributes of educational research and what benefits we expect to derive from them. Developing students’ critical thinking and clear reasoning about educational research have a central place in the course.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• explain what educational research is and how it may be distinguished from education as professional practice;
• account for the role of theory and method in educational research;
• explain the importance of sustainability and globalization in educational research.

Competence and skills

• use library search skills to identify a coherent selection of educational research articles on a topic and critically assess their value;
• collect research data on a given research topic;
• write a brief research report on collected data, using research articles to set out the topic in scholarly context.

Judgement and approach

• explore one’s own research orientation, including one’s main research ambitions and one’s personal beliefs about the nature of good research;
• clarify the research ethics and sustainability of student's own research orientation.

The course is delivered in a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars.

Language of instruction: English

Learning is assessed through the following assignments:

• A draft scholarly essay (7,5 hp)
• A complete scholarly essay (7,5 hp)

A possibility for completion may be granted by the examiner

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For the grade Pass, both assignments must be graded a Pass (G). For the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), the draft scholarly essay must be graded a pass, while the complete scholarly essay must be graded Pass with Distinction.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The course uses online information and communication via the University of Gothenburg's digital learning platform and other digital tools. Access to a computer with an internet connection is required