Emergent Research Methodologies

All forms of cheating and dishonest practice are taken seriously and penalties will result. Students should refer to Regulation J of the General Course and Examination Regulations.

Grading Scale
Final results for this course will be reported using:
Grading Scale

Grade    GPA      Marks

A+       9      90 – 100
A         8      85 – 89
A-        7      80 – 84
B+       6      75 – 79
B         5      70 – 74
B-        4      65 – 69
C+       3      60 – 64
C         2      55 – 59
C-        1      50 – 54
D         0      40 – 49
E        -1       0 – 39

Assessment procedures will follow the established policies of the College of Education Assessment Guidelines. Student work-load will be in line with other courses within the M.Ed.

The course is assessed according to the 5 generic assessment dimensions of the Masters programme. These are:

1. Depth and breadth of knowledge base and literature
2. Engagement in theoretical critique and debate
3. Engagement in reflective praxis
4. Active involvement in research
5. A high level of communication skills and overall coherence

The dimensions which apply to each assignment will be notified by the course lecturer with the details of the assignment topic. These five dimensions do not apply equally to every assignment. The rubric will show the relative application of each dimension.

You will receive a marking rubric for each assignment that will signal how the lecturer will grade your work.

As this is course is online and the work is mainly asynchronous, the attendance requirements are met by regular participation. Particpation in discussions, group activities and other tasks is expected and graded within the assignments set.
Distance students must participate in the course via Learn to meet the learning outcomes.  Students are responsible for obtaining relevant lecture/course information via Learn. This will mean regular engagement with forums and course materials on the Learn site. Participation will enhance your understanding of issues and allow for discussion and clarification of complex issues. Online activity will ensure all students can discuss, debate and reflect.

Teaching and the course will be assessed through the regular use of UCTL evaluative instruments.

Where necessary grades will be moderated by another member of faculty.

Work that is submitted after the due date is considered late unless an extension has been negotiated via email with the lecturer before the work is due.  The lecturer reserves the right not to mark late work or to apply a grade penalty.

Special Note – On-campus Hui:
Students are encouraged to attend a hui on Saturday 20 July 9.30 am-4 pm either on-campus (room details will be advised nearer the time) or to join in online via Adobe Connect (access details will be provided later). Attendance is recommended but not compulsory.

This course will require students to work in an online community of learners and students will be encouraged to ask probing questions, to read critically and broadly, and to reflect on their own practice (in the education profession or elsewhere) in the light of ideas considered in the course.  There will be a strong emphasis on structured, purposeful, rigorous dialogue.

Course content will focus on emerging research methodologies facilitating research in different contexts including collaborative, Matauranga/Kaupapa Māori, and creative approaches and will draw out the principles of empirical and theoretical research, including ethical and socio-cultural understandings.

The course content will include:
• An overview of a range of a range of perspectives and their implications with the opportunity to focus on one or a blend of practice-based and action research; Kaupapa Māori Research; arts-based research and research into the aesthetic; design-based research.
• An examination of concepts of knowledge including: relationship between ontology and epistemology; collective/cultural knowledge, accessible knowledge, aesthetics.
• Relationship between theory construction and evidence, plus issues of ‘rigour’, ‘credibility’, ‘value’ and ‘ethic’.    

The course will enable participants to become critical analysts of research outputs, including those that have incorporated embodied research approaches.

All work submitted in this course would be completed using APA format where relevant.

Conduct as an educational professional is expected. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with learning online including UC Learn before the course starts. The following book is recommended: Lynch, M. (2004). Learning Online: A Guide to Success in the Virtual Classroom (Routledge Study Guides). London: Routledge.

Requests for extension should go in the first instance in writing to the lecturer responsible for the course. Genearlly it is possible to have an extension of up to 2 weeks following the published date.

One resubmit is allowed for each assignment; however no grade higher than a C will be awarded to resubmitted work.  Work that is to be resubmitted will be due one week after being returned to the student unless other arrangements are requested and granted by the lecturer.

Aegrotats are not available and all assignments must be completed.

Students will be expected to submit their assessments via the online assessment system in the Learn class site by 5.00pm on or before the due date. The lecturer may also ask students to submit assessment work through the software Turnitin, to check for plagiarism. If this option is available students will submit work through Turnitin and obtain a report, after submitting assignments for marking via the Learn site.

It is the responsibility of the students to check their Internet access and ability to submit their work via the online system.  Any technical difficulties should be notified well in advance of the due date so that assistance can be provided or alternative arrangements can be negotiated. (Students who do not have broadband internet access, or who have unreliable access are advised to attend to this early in the course to prevent last minute pressures.) If you require assistance, please email ictservicedesk@canterbury.ac.nz, or phone 0800 763 676 ext 6060.