EDPK5002: Semester 2, 2021

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Units EDPK5002 Semester 2 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

EDPK5002: Quantitative Methods

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

This unit introduces students to the basic principles and procedures of quantitative research. Both experimental and survey research strategies are considered; starting with design and development of the research tools (measures, questionnaires, interviews, observation) and progressing to basic analytical statistical methods. The unit provides a thorough introduction to simple statistics and often looks at real research data examples. By the end of the semester students will have developed various research skills as well as a critical perspective on the appropriate application of those skills.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	EDPK5002
Academic unit	Education
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Nicole Mockler, nicole.mockler@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assignment 1: Critical Appraisal Critical appraisal of quantitative research related to students' research.	40%	Week 07 Due date: 24 Sep 2021 at 23:59	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment 2: Methdological Overview and Rationale Methodological overview and rationale for proposed research study.	60%	Week 13 Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 23:59	3500 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Task 1: Students will choose three journal articles that report on research using qualitative methods and relate to their area of scholarly interest. They will critically appraise them according to criteria available in the Task Description available on Canvas.

Task 2: Students will devleop a methodological rationale and overview for a proposed research study, addressing each of the areas listed in the Task Description available on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Learning outcomes of the unit are met to an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Learning outcomes of the unit are met to a very high standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Learning outcomes of the unit are met to a good standard.
Pass	50 - 64	Learning outcomes of the unit are met to an acceptable standard.
Fail	0 - 49	Learning outcomes of the unit are not met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below: Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to qualitative methods in social research	Online class (2 hr)
Week 02	Experimental and quasi-experimental design	Online class (2 hr)
Week 03	Applying a critical realist lens to quantitative methods in educational research	Online class (2 hr)
Week 04	Computational methods in education: An agent-based modelling approach	Online class (2 hr)
Week 05	Scale development using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis	Online class (2 hr)
Week 06	Single subject design	Online class (2 hr)
Week 07	Structural equation modelling	Online class (2 hr)
Week 09	Person-centred analyses: cluster and latent profile analyses	Online class (2 hr)
Week 10	Rasch Modelling I	Online class (2 hr)
Week 11	Rasch Modelling II	Online class (2 hr)
Week 12	Meta-analysis	Online class (2 hr)
Week 13	Quantitative analysis of large textual and administrative data sets	Online class (2 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Reading List, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Understand how researchers make critical decisions about research methods, including the role of researchers' ontological and epistemological perspectives, conceptual and theoretical frameworks, and research questions
LO2. Understand the strengths and limitations of a range of different quantitative research methods and approaches
LO3. Understand the ethical implications of different research methods and researchers’ corresponding responsibilities
LO4. Apply a broad appreciation of quantitative methods to your own proposed research study

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has been completely redesigned for 2020, specifically with the needs and requirements of Higher Degree by Research Students in mind.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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