arjun bikram sharma | Research Methods in education & training

This module was about critically understanding of various paradigms and methodologies in the conduct of educational research, in preparation for undertaking independent research for the dissertation. It drew on traditions that give emphasis to research on processes of teaching and learning and to critical-communicative approaches to research on teaching and learning. It also aimed to lay the foundation in research methods of particular relevance to pedagogical processes as preparation for the Dissertation Module.

The work process of the Research Methodologies Unit was based on three strands, which were:

1. Active participation through discussion and collaboration

2. The Critical Analysis of a published refereed journal article leading to Assignment 1: A Critical Analysis

3. The process of Research Planning leading to Assignment 2: A Research Proposal.

Each strand was an essential element of the whole unit. The aims of the active participation component include the setting the context and content of educational research and also providing the scaffolding and support for the ongoing development of the other two assessed components.

The overall approach was based on a project-based learning approach through the main phases of orientation & planning, working & reflecting and finally evaluation.