Overview
Study of the theory, philosophy and practice of research in education, including a critical analysis of selected quantitative and qualitative methodologies and of historical, philosophical and sociological approaches to disciplined inquiry in education.
"Show me the data!" Whether you want to present a convincing case, evaluate if an argument is sound, explore or analyse an issue, you need data. This paper will teach you the fundamentals of research in education: what it is, why we need it, when to use it, and how to conduct it and communicate it.
About this paper
| Paper title | Research Methods in Education |
|---|---|
| Subject | Education |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,103.10 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One 200-level EDUC, PSYC or SOCI paper
- Restriction
- EDUC 407, EDUX 351 and EDUX 407
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
- Although quantitative and qualitative methods are covered, no formal background in either is needed.
- Contact
- education@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
To be confirmed when paper is next offered.
- Textbooks
- A selection of recommended readings will be included in the course outline.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Understand the scientific method and how it applies to research in education, in terms of philosophical and applied knowledge that will form a basis for their own research
- Understand quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to conducting research
- Be able to critically search, read and use educational research literature
- Have experience in constructing questionnaire and interview items
- Understand how to develop research questions and testable hypotheses
- Be able to interpret and write results using APA style
- Understand the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for research in New Zealand contexts and that there are Māori-preferred strategies for research
- Understand the differences among and the strengths and limitations of particular approaches to research in order to choose appropriate research designs
Overview
Study of the theory, philosophy and practice of research in education, including a critical analysis of selected quantitative and qualitative methodologies and of historical, philosophical and sociological approaches to disciplined inquiry in education.
"Show me the data!" Whether you want to present a convincing case, evaluate if an argument is sound, explore or analyse an issue, you need data. This paper will teach you the fundamentals of research in education: what it is, why we need it, when to use it, and how to conduct and communicate it.
About this paper
| Paper title | Research Methods in Education |
|---|---|
| Subject | Education |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2027 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- One 200-level EDUC, PSYC or SOCI paper
- Restriction
- EDUC 407, EDUX 351 and EDUX 407
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Eligibility
Although quantitative and qualitative methods are covered, no formal background in either is needed.
- Contact
- education@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
To be confirmed when paper is next offered.
- Textbooks
A selection of recommended readings will be included in the course outline.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Understand the scientific method and how it applies to research in education, in terms of philosophical and applied knowledge that will form a basis for their own research.
- Understand quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to conducting research.
- Be able to critically search, read and use educational research literature.
- Have experience in constructing questionnaires and interview items.
- Understand how to develop research questions and testable hypotheses.
- Be able to interpret and write results using APA style.
- Understand the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for research in New Zealand contexts and that there are Māori-preferred strategies for research.
- Understand the differences among and the strengths and limitations of particular approaches to research in order to choose appropriate research designs.