Assignment 1

Assignment 1: Approaches to Education ResearchDue Date:
25 May 2007

Weight:
20%

Length:
2500 words

Read your text (Stringer 2004), browse through the topic notes and the readings, search the net and dive into the library! Look for articles and papers about the process of DOING research, and particularly the cycle of planning, action, and reflection leading to continuous improvement.

Choose three different research methodologies.

• one that you would like to know more about,
• one that you would not normally consider, and
• one that you think would be appropriate to your research.

Briefly summarise the key aspects of each methodology.

Identify strengths and weaknesses, and situations where each approach can provide insights that a different method might not address.

Synthesise your reading and summaries into an essay that evaluates different approaches to education research.

NOTE: In marking this essay, I am not, at this stage, looking for topic specific critiques but a general view of some of the ways in which education research is conducted. I will be looking at the range of methods that you have chosen, the extent to which you appreciate the constraints as well as the strengths of each method, and the examples that you use to illustrate the points you wish to make.
T

he key is SYNTHESIS – not a list of strengths and weaknesses, followed by some examples. This is the kind of writing that you will need to apply to your literature review.