Methodology and Theoretical Approaches in Education

The overall aim of the course is that the students develop deeper knowledge of central research approaches and methods within the field of educational research.

After completing the course, students shall have acquired:

• deeper knowledge of different types of quantitative and qualitative research approaches and of how different theoretical and methodological considerations and choices influence the realisation and results of the research
• deeper knowledge of different types of methods of data collection in field studies and an ability to reason about reliability and the contribution of knowledge in relation to these
• deeper knowledge of good research ethics in educational research
• an ability to conduct a critical evaluation of theoretical and methodological choices and considerations in educational research studies, and an ability to evaluate the results in relation to the methodological approach used
• an ability to construct a methodological design for studies of educational practices where the choices of methods of data collections, methods of analysis, and research ethics are considered and argued for in relation to the
   research problem and aim.

This course contains different research approaches in the field of educational research. The different theoretical and methodological approaches studied in the course are used as a point of departure both for the critical evaluation of relevant educational research studies and for methodological choices and considerations in relation to
formulating research aims, ethics, methods for collecting data and analysing data, reliability and validity, and also for students’ evaluation of the research designs of their peers.

The seminars are mandatory and the students are expected to actively participate.

The Swedish grades U–VG.

Number of credits:

• Oral presentations, written report, 7.5 credits