Competences

• a)Choose a theoretical framework and critically evaluate current literature on primary education to define an area of study and formulate research questions;
• b)Apply an appropriate philosophical framework and research design to investigate issues related to teaching and learning practices in primary education;
• c)Present analysed data collected and draw insightful conclusions linked to the theoretical framework and literature;
• d)Manage a research study within a specified timeframe, demonstrating autonomy and organizational skills;
• e)Compose a well-structured and logically argued research paper, adhering to academic standards and conventions for presentation and referencing;
• f)Integrate research evidence and professional reflection to generate contextually relevant solutions for the primary classrooms.

Knowledge

• a)Critically appraise theoretical, scientific and empirical knowledge relevant to primary education research;
• b)Establish a coherent contextual and conceptual framework that situates education research within broader philosophical and socio-educational perspectives;
• c)Synthesis theoretical and evidence-based knowledge from early childhood and primary education to inform scholarly investigation and practice;
• d)Formulate and justify research problems in education involving learners and school communitiest;
• e)Evaluate methodological, philosophical and analytical approaches, to determine their alignment with the research objectives and research questions;
• f)Analyse a research topic in education using a critical and systematic approach to generate original insights and scholarly interpretations.

Skills

• a)Design a research project focused on pedagogical and developmental themes relevant to primary education;
• b)Adapt appropriate research methods to the primary education context;
• c)Formulate effective data collection, management and analysis techniques tailored to research in primary education;
• d)Compare and critically reflect on research findings, integrating them with established literature in the field;
• e)Develop hypotheses and/or rationale and select appropriate research methods and tools to test them in educational research;
• f)Justify the choice of research methods selected for their study;
• g)Reflect on and critically evaluate the limitations of their study, considering the potential for replication and generalisation of their research findings;
• h)Employ best practices which are conducive to academic integrity as researchers ensuring coherence, clarity and adherence to scholarly conventions;
• i)Demonstrate critical thinking skills in their presentation of literature and discussion of their findings.