Competences

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, or quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach and the different instances when each can be used in the context of STEM Education and Engagement;
d. Become sensitive to the general ethical issues related to research in STEM Education and Engagement.

Knowledge 

a. An array of qualitative, quantitative research methods, or mixed methodology approach;
b. Related theories;
c. Notions of validity, positionality, reliability, ontology, and epistemology, generalisation and its limits, replication;
d. The research problem/question, hypothesis and null hypothesis;
e. Correlational research;
f. The importance of piloting a study;
g. Critically assess the process of sampling for reliability;
h. Comprehensively identify the ethical responsibilities of the researcher and knowledge of ethical issues as identified by Accreditied Research Bodies;
i. Understand what plagiarism is and how it can be avoided.

Skills

a. Critique the different methodologies and their application;
b. Devise and conduct interviews;
c. Compiling items on the self-completion questionnaires and response styles;
d. Initiate and manage different methods of qualitative and quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach in the context of STEM education and engagement ;
e. Systematically analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and interpret results;
f. Comprehensively identify the most relevant literature for the research and develop a coherent link between the research question/s, the literature, research design and discussion of the findings;
g. Interpret the results obtained from the data.