Philosophy of Science and Research Methodology

This course provides insight into education research and enables candidates to plan a methodical research project based on the philosophy of science. The traditional way of distinguishing between quantitative and qualitative research often becomes artificial in an educational context. The course is structured into four modules: design, research methods, methodical tools and research dissemination.

The course design involves working on an overriding research plan and includes the following topics:

• Source studies text investigation Introduction to basic hermeneutic principles and a source critical attitude to research, based on historical research, analysis, source material interpretation and evaluation, normative and informative texts, analytical and narrative approaches.
• Survey Insight into areas and topics in which surveys are relevant, and critical reflection on questionnaires as a tool for data gathering. Limiting and formulating topics and questions, selection of informants, operationalizing the problem, specific setup of questions and formulating the questionnaire, descriptive and analytical surveys, critiques of instruments, data analysis, data presentation, validity and reliability.
• Case Basic introduction to different types of case studies. Ethnographic methods in education research are particularly emphasized. Classroom and school studies, studies of children groups and kindergartens, individuals and events are essential research units. Interview and observation as scientific methods, field research, formulating case design, procedures in data gathering, categorization, analyzing methods, credibility and research dissemination.
• Experiment Knowledge on experimental methods as an approach for research. Different experimental design with and without control groups, quasi experiments, definition of variables, scale level, result and statistics analysis, assessment of change, validity and reliability.
• Innovation, action and evaluation Introduction to innovation and action theory, participant and researcher, organization theory foundation, innovation and action targets, resistance for change, organization evaluation research and adequate research strategies.

Research methods include the following topics:

• Interview Facilitating interview or research conversations, degree of structure, interview guide, methods of interview, systematizing results, technical tools, analysis of interview data.
• Observation Field research observations, observation variables, registering observations and the use of technical tools, participant observation, interpretation and observation analysis.
• Questionnaires Constructing questionnaires, closed/open questions, data gathering, different survey types, population, types of questions, tools, data processing.
• Tests Tests in educational/special education research. Test theories, test construction, developing indicators, estimating, validity and reliability, using test data, using established tests.
• Narratives/text analysis Interpreting and analyzing different text types, using narratives in history writing and case based life stories. Analytical and experience- based interpretation of life stories

Methodological tools

• Introduction to statistics Introduction to basic statistics with the aim of being able to read and critically relate to one¿s own and other¿s research and to be able to apply quantitative methods in educational research. Topics include: Frequency distribution, measuring levels, central tendency, dispersion measure, correlation, factor analysis, variance analysis, probability theory, generalization, selection/sample strategies, correlation, comparing the average

Candidates able to document knowledge in Statistics may apply for exemption from the examination in statistics.

• Data tools Central data gathering topics are developing a code book, entering data, listing distributions, statistical processing and data analysis. Text analysis programme.

Research dissemination consists of the following topics:

• Dissemination as a method About research and research dissemination, problems in the process of dissemination, language and communication methods.
• Different forms of dissemination

Classical dissertation, articles, essays, academic essays, case descriptions, designing narratives.

• Ethical questions Respect for persons, groups and institutions. Requirement of informed and voluntary consent. The responsibility of role definition. Dissertation and accountability.