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MAEL 111
Methods of Research for the Educational Leader
Research, which involves the gathering of data from carefully identified sources, is useful; particularly when the ultimate aim of every research is to acquire knowledge that will contribute to the area of discipline of the researcher. Hence, the prospect for students to do a research project is
growing in many areas of study, one of which is education. Conducting a research project has become synonymous with programmes for postgraduate students pursuing a Master’s degree. The scope of this module is to introduce participants to research methods and delve into the different styles of doing qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method research.
By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:
a. Initiate, devise and conduct qualitative, or quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;
b. Evaluate and critique the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative or quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;
c. Have a comprehensive understanding of the different styles of qualitative, quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach and the different instances when each can be used;
d. Conducting a review of the available literature and developing a critique disposition;
e. Become sensitive to the general ethical issues in research.
a. An array of qualitative, quantitative research methods, or mixed methodology approaches;
b. Related theories;
c. Notions of validity, positionality, reliability, ontology, epistemology, generalisation and its limits, replication;
d. Writing a research proposal;
e. The research problem/question, hypothesis and null hypothesis;
f. Correlational research;
g. The importance of piloting a study;
h. Critically assess the process of sampling for reliability;
i. Become acquainted with the division of chapters in a dissertation and the scope of each chapter;
j. Comprehensively identify the ethical responsibilities of the researcher and knowledge of ethical issues as identified by Accredited Research Bodies;
k. Understand what plagiarism is and how it can be avoided;
a. Critique the different methodologies and their application;
b. Devise and conduct/carry out interviews and questionnaires;
c. Initiate and manage different methods of qualitative and quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;
d. Systematically analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and interpret results;
e. Organising the research project by effectively managing time, resources, reading material, ideas and concepts for best results when conducting research;
f. Comprehensively identify the most relevant literature for the research and develop a coherent link between the research question/s, the literature, the research design and the discussion of the findings;
This programme adopts continuous and summative methods of assessment including assignments, online tasks, reflective journals, projects and video presentations. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures.
1. Bogner, A., Littig, B. & Menz W., eds. (2009). Interviewing Experts. Palgrave Macmillan, UK
2. Tashakkori, A. & Teddie, C., (1998). Mixed Methodology – Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. SAGE, London
3. Wiland, E. (2012); Reasons; Continuum International Publishing Group, London.
The Institute for Education is a Further and Higher Education Institution with Licence number 2016-006
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