UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ARTS EDUCATION
COURSE: ESS 8050D: ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION CREDIT 3
LECTURER: ERIC MENSAH, PhD
CONTACT: 0243418983
OFFICE: ROOM 10, EDUCATION BLOCK 2, OLD SITE, UCC.
Course Description
This course is designed to introduce students to the issues in education research. It serves as a foundation
for postgraduate research work. It focuses on the various research paradigms that drive modern day
educational research. The course looks at types of educational research, how to plan/ develop research
proposals, as well as techniques in reviewing literature. The course lays emphasis on helping postgraduate
students write their research report well in accordance with the basic rudiments of a standard research
report.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students would be able to:
exhibit deep understanding of research in education
explain the various research paradigms
demonstrate knowledge developing research proposal
differentiate between a framework and a review in literature
evaluate research designs when choosing based on their research
differentiate between methodology and methods
Collect, analyse and interpret data for research report.
Mode of delivery
The course will be taught through lectures, discussions and presentations with emphasis on active student
participation and reflection. Students are advised to read relevant texts before coming to class.
Assessment
Student learning and progress will be assessed by:
Continuous Assessment (40%): This would be determined during the course.
End-of Semester Examination (60%). This will be comprehensive, covering all topics treated in
the course.
Course Outline
Unit 1: The Nature of Truth
1
Truth and inquiry
Ways of Knowing
Conceptions of social reality: Subjectivist and Objectivist
Research Paradigms
- Positivism
- Naturalism and interpretivism / constructivism
- Pragmatism
Unit2: Introduction to Research
Definition of Research
Characteristics of research
The research problem, sources and characteristics
Variables, Hypothesis, Research questions
Unit 3: Review of Related Literature
Why and how to review literature
Sources of literature
Theoretical Review and Conceptual Review
Theoretical Framework and Conceptual Framework
Unit 4: Methodology in Research
Methods and Methodology
Ethics of research
Research design: non-experimental and experimental
Sampling procedure
Probability techniques
Non-probability
Strategies for data collection
- Validity and reliability
- Questionnaire
- Interview guide
- Observation schedule
- Test
- Scales
Data analysis
2
- Approaches to qualitative analysis
- Content analysis and grounded theory
- Quantitative analysis: choosing statistical tests.
Unit 5: Finalising the Research Report
Discussing results
Conclusions and recommendations
APA guidelines
Referencing
Tables and figures
Margins
Reading List
Babbie, R. (2007). Survey research method (11th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2007). Research Methods in Education (6th ed.) New York:
Routledge.
Cohen, L., Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2018). Research Methods in Education (8th ed.) New York: Routledge
Creswell, J. W. (2012). Educational research: Planning, conducting and, evaluating qualitative and
quantitative research (4th ed.) Boston: Pearson
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. Los
Angeles: Sage Publication
Frost, N. (2011). Qualitative research methods in psychology: Combining core approaches. New York:
Open University Press
Gall, M.D., Gall, J.P., & Borg, W.R. (2007). Educational research: An introduction (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson
Education Inc.
Jackson, S. L. (2009). Research methods and statistics: A critical thinking approach (3 rd ed.). Belmont:
Wadsworth.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques (2nd ed.). New Delhi: New Age
International Publishers.
Leavy, P. (2017). Research design: Quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, arts-based and community-
based participatory research approaches. New York: The Guilford Press.
Leedy, P.D & Omrod, J.E (2005). Practical research planning and design (8th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Merrill/ Prentice Hall
3
Marczyk, G., DeMatteo, D., & Festinger, D. (2005). Essentials of research design and methodology. New
Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7 th ed.). Essex,
UK: Pearson Education Ltd.
Tracy, S. J. (2013). Qualitative research methods: Collecting evidence, crafting analysis, communicating
impact. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.