PPFO301 Introduction to Educational Research Methods

Credits (ECTS):15

Course responsible:Edvin Østergaard, Erling Krogh

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Limits of class size:35

Course frequency:Annually, autumn semester

Nominal workload:Total workload: ca. 375 hours.

Teaching and exam period:

LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: This course starts in Autumn parallel and has teaching and assessment in Autumn parallel.

Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: The course has teaching and assessment in the autumn parallel for full-time students and teaching in the autumn parallel and assessment in the spring parallel for part-time students

About this course

The course deals with qualitative in educational research as tools for researching learning and teaching practices. Research methods presuppose an insight into both the specific topics and the researcher's participative role and scientific approach. Relevant common topics are action learning/research, research methods such as interviewing, questionnaires and observation, as well as methods of analysis

LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: Emphasis is placed on the philosophy of science and the ethical basis of the methods. Specific relevant topics are: Case study methodology, phenomenology and and quantitative methods.

Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: Presentation of research methods in this profile of the course is based on the students' interests in the choice of topic and research questions in the master's thesis.The profile provides knowledge about and experience with recognized scientific methods that can be used in the exploration of one's own teaching practice in facilitation of pupils' learning and/or of work with the development of the school's program profiles in nature use, cultivation and management. Furthermore, action learning is explained as a strategy for involving students and cooperation between colleagues in the exploration.

Learning outcome

The course aims at providing the students with a basis for using educational research methodology in the master's thesis.

LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science:

Knowledge: The candidate has knowledge about research methods and methodological issues related to subject, pedagogical and didactical questions.

Skills: The candidate has knowledge about relevant literature on methodology and can apply this knowledge to his/her own research project. The candidate can independently vary research methods.

General competency: The candidate can reflect on science didactical, science philosophical, research methodological and ethical issues.

Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management:

Knowledge: The student can:

explain and critically assess how different qualitative research methods can be used in action learning related to vocational training and education.
justify the choice of qualitative research methods that can provide relevant documentation to answer research questions related to the main problem statement in the master's thesis

Skills: The student can:

use chosen recognized scientific research methods to obtain relevant documentation for analysis in the master's thesis.

General competence: The student can:

explain, safeguard, comply with and reflect on important ethical principles when using qualitative research methods, such as confidentiality, informed consent and consideration for the integrity of interlocutors/participants

Learning activities
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: The course is based on gatherings in addition to individual work between the gatherings.
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: The course is based on 4 physical sessions of 2-3 days coordinated with PPUT 301, profile action learning. The gatherings will be based on practical exercises related to facilitation of learning in nature use, cultivation and management and follow-up readings and reflections on research methods that can be used to obtain relevant data to be able to answer the problem and research questions in the master's thesis. Reflections during and between gatherings and the work on the final assignment will be supervised.
Teaching support
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: The two assignments are assisted through supervision from both course teachers and fellow students.
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: The work on the choice and use of research methods related to the master's thesis as well as with the final assignment is supported with guidance from teachers, fellow students and possibly by fellow students as co-authors if students choose to submit a group assignment.
Prerequisites
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: PPFD301, PPPE301 and teaching competency in science and/or mathematics.
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: PPFD301, PPFY300, PPYD300 or equivalent. PPPE301, PPPE302 or equivalent. Teaching competence in programme subjects in nature use, cultivation and management or in science and/or mathematics.
Assessment method
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: Written assignment. Examination details: passed/not passed
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: Assignment that can be in multimodal form and submitted individually or by a group of students. Grading rule: pass/fail

Assignement for full-time students Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed
Examiner scheme
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: The course responsible and one internal examiner approves the exam arrangement and the criteria for evaluation and assesses the students' final assignment. External assessment each third year.
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: The course responsible and one internal examiner approves the exam arrangement and the criteria for evaluation and assesses the students' final assignment.
Mandatory activity
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: Participation in the gatherings with a requirement of a minimum of 80% attendance. Individual written assignment, assessed approved/not approved.
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: Participation in gatherings with a requirement for a minimum of 70% attendance. The assignment can be in multimodal form, an be submitted individually or in groups and must be assessed as approved/not approved.
Teaching hours
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: The format and time will be presented in June 2025.
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: The course has four physical sessions of 2-3 days coordinated with PPUT 301, Profile Action Learning.
Preferential right
LUR/Professional Master PPU, profile science: M-LUN and Professional Master PPU, profile science
Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management: Professional Master PPU, profile nature use, cultivation and management