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Course Pro FormaProgram Ijazah Sarjana Muda Perguruan Dengan Kepujian

(Matematik Pendidikan Rendah)

Course TitleAction Research I – Primary Mathematics (Methodology) (Penyelidikan Tindakan I – Matematik Sekolah Rendah (Kaedah)

Course Code MTE3113

Credit 3 (3+0)

Contact Hours 45 hours

Medium of Instruction English

Pre-requisite to entry None

Semester One/Two

Learning Outcomes 1. Describe the educational research methods and their use in education.

2. Explain the basic of research including types of educational research, research designs, procedure and ethics.

3. Analyse and discuss current issues in education that can be investigated through action research.

4. Discuss what is action research and its process.

5. Acquire the skills of planning and implementing an action research in school.

6. Acquire the skills of writing an action research proposal, report and journal article.

SynopsisThis course provides knowledge about the various research methods in education and the basic of educational research. It will also explore ways of acquiring the skills of planning an action research, implementing the research, analysing and interpreting the research data, and documenting the action research findings in a report or article.

Kursus ini memberi pengetahuan tentang pelbagai kaedah penyelidikan dalam pendidikan dan asas penyelidikan. Ia juga meneroka cara-cara memperolehi kemahiran merancang dan melaksana satu kajian tindakan, menganalisis dan menginterpretasi data penyelidikan, dan kaedah mendokumentasi hasil penyelidikan tindakan dalam bentuk laporan atau kertas kerja kajian.

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Topic Content Hours

1 An Introduction to research methods in education • The aims of educational research

• The characteristics of educational research

• Approaches in educational research- The positivist approach (quantitative)- The interpretive approach (qualitative)

• Ethics of educational research - The important aspects of research ethics- Ethical codes

3

2 Types of educational research - Basic research - Applied research - Action research - Evaluation research

Introduction to various types of education research design

• Quantitative research - Experimental - Quasi-experimental - Survey - Correlational

• Qualitative research - Ethnography - Case study - Historical

3

3 Educational research procedure • Choosing a research problem• Determining the research objective• Determining the research questions • Determining the research hypotheses• Reviewing the literature• Planning the research design

3

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• Determining the sampling procedure• Constructing the research instrument• Constructing the validity and reliability of the

instrument• Determining the data collection procedure• Collecting data• Analysing and interpreting the data• Reporting the results and findings

4 Action research • Definition and concept• The characteristics of action research• The importance of action research • Issues related to action research

Models of action research - Stephen Kemmis’s model- John Elliott’s model- Dave Ebbutt’s model- Jack Whitehead’s model- Jean Mcniff’s model

- Kurt Lewin’s model

3

5 Action research: The process

Adapted from the models of Lewin, 1946 and Laidlaw,1992:

• Identifying an aspect of the educational practice to improve

• Planning an action• Implementing the action• Collecting the data• Reflecting on the action (before, during and after

the action)

Taking further actionDeveloping the second cycle of action research

3

6 Action research: Planning and proposal• Context• Focus / aspect of practice to improve• Research questions• Literature review• Subjects of the study• Action plan• Implementation of action plan• Data collection methods• Reflection: Data analysis and interpretation• Work schedule • Budget

3

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• Sources of reference

7 Action research: Data collection methods • Observation: : observer, participant-observer,

participant • Document analysis• checklists• Interview: structured, semi-structured, unstructured

3

8 Action research: Data collection methods

• Questionnaires • Video and cassette recordings • Logs• Field notes• Photographs• Portfolios • Anecdotal records • Slides• Journals• Diaries

3

9 Action research: Data collection considerations

Sampling, validity, reliability, bias• Sampling and bias • Validity:

- External critics (originality of the data)- Internal critics (accuracy of the data)- Data triangulation

• Reliability- The generalisability of findings• Ethics

3

10 Action research: data analysis

Qualitative data• Content analysis • Categorising the data• Coding the data • Arranging the data into analysis grids• Identifying the issues/assertions• Further research activities

3

11 Action research :data analysis

Quantitative data• Descriptive analysis: Frequency, percentage,

mean, mod, median, standard deviation, correlation coefficient

3

12 Interpreting the action research data • Integrating various sources of data

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• Connecting the data with literature review • Summarising the results and drawing conclusions

13 Writing an action research report• The context/background of the study• Literature review • Focus/ aspect of the practice to improve• The action plan • Implementation of action plan• Data collection methods• Data analysis and interpretation • Reflection and implications• Plan for further action • Citation of references :American Psychological

Association (APA)

3

14 Writing an action research article

• Abstract • The context • Research focus • Action plan • Implementation of action plan • Data collection methods • Data analysis and interpretation • Reflection and implications • The next step • Bibliography

3

15 Ways of making action research data public

Seminars Publications Action research networks

3

Assessment Coursework 50%Examination 50%

Main Reference Cohen, L. , Manion, L. & Morrison, K. (2001). Research Methods in Education (5th. Eds.). London: Routledge Falmer.

Creswell, J. W. (2005). Educational Research. Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative And Qualitative Research. Ohio: Prentice Hall.

Additional Reference Fraenkel, J.R. & Wallen, N.E.(1990). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education. USA, McGraw-Hill

Gillham, B. (2003). The Research Interview. London: Continuum.

Jones, J. (2005). Management Skills in School. London: Paul Chapman Publishing.

Kembar, D. (2000). Action Learning and Action research. London:

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Kogan Page.

Mills, G. E. (2000). Action Research. A guide for the Teacher Researcher. Ohio: Prentice Hall.

Macintyre, C. (2000). The Art of Action Research in the Classroom. London: David Fulton Publishers Ltd.