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Unit outline_

EDPB5018: Research in International Education

Semester 1, 2021 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The unit focuses on investigation and analysis of modes of research in international education, and related issues in cross-cultural research. Students review and analyse various modes of research. Issues of data quality and range, the role of international organisations in providing data and shaping debates, and issues of power that should be negotiated in cross-cultural setting are examined. Having surveyed different methods, such as forms of scientism, ethnomethodology and post-colonialism, and had opportunities to consider their relative strengths and weaknesses, students examine implications of using different methods in a comparative study of two different methodological frameworks.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Education
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alexandra McCormick, alexandra.mccormick@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Overview
Written analytical summary
10% Week 02 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Assignment Essay
Essay based on Module 2
25% Week 05 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO2
Assignment Online Activity
Discussion post and peer response
20% Week 08 1000 words total
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO7 LO4 LO3
Assignment Case study
Focussed case study contrasting comparative and international methodologies
45% Week 12 3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Overview – 500 words

Analytical overview on ONE of five provided prompts

Essay – 1500 words

Formal essay relating to comparative and international education research methodology 

Online activity – total 1000 words

Post and peer response relating to ONE model of an international research methodology 

Case Study – 3000 words

An academic essay on a selected research them or issue in a context of interest

Assessment criteria

 

Result Name

Mark Range

Basic Description (see extended version in Canvas)

HD

85-100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard

D

75-84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard

C

65-74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard

P

50-64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard

F

0-50

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

AF

N/A

When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

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.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Progressive Progressive working through 4 Modules of inquiry, this unit of study introduces you to modes of research in international education, some issues involved, and how these issues, and thinking about them, have developed. For researchers and practitioners in international education, these are important questions. Thinking about them has changed over time. Independent study (24 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Individual (in-person or remote) consultation with unit coordinator, by appointment as negotiated One-to-one tuition (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

N/A

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

See the Study Guide and Reading List in Canvas.

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.

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

  • LO1. Develop critical understanding of the historical development of thinking about theories and methods of research in international education.
  • LO2. Develop or extend critical understanding of major interpretive approaches to international research in education, as well as an understanding of the use and abuse of more quantitative methods in the field.
  • LO3. Gain or extend understandings of international research methods in education within specific contexts, as well as an understanding of more general trends
  • LO4. Understand the implications of adopting one or other research methods in international education.
  • LO5. Apply skills and insights developed in a special investigation
  • LO6. Develop independent study skills
  • LO7. Develop online research capacities
  • LO8. Develop high-level writing skills

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Content and literature have been updated since this unit was last offered. One-to-one session(s), online, discussion board assessment, interaction and peer review have also been introduced.

 

This unit of study will introduce you to modes of research in international education, and some of the issues involved – as well as how these issues, and thinking about them, have developed. It is sometimes argued that ‘research is research’ – that the fact of undertaking research across cultures or nations makes no difference to the research exercise. You will have the chance to review and test this claim while working through this course.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

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.