Faculty of Education

Department of Educational Foundation and Social Sciences Semester 1, Session 2013/2014 MPF 1023/4 Research Methods in Education Group assignment: Research Proposal Employing Qualitative Design (20%) Dateline: Friday, 20 December 2013 (Week 15) Lecturer/Facilitator: Dr. Narina A. Samah Contact no: 07 553 4411 Room no: C15 419 Email: narina@utm.my; narina_a.samah@yahoo.co.uk Objective: The main objective of this assignment is to provide you the experience in designing a qualitative research study, and writing a proposal. A research proposal, in general, explains why and how a study will be conducted. A proposal is useful for planning a study as well as for gaining critical feedback before embarking on the actual research journey. Requirements: This is a group assignment with the maximum number of 2 students per group (preferably from the same specialisation/program of study). Having identified the issue/topic/scope of study which your group had decided on and having conducted the literature review, you should then consider developing your research objectives and research questions by asking the points such as: - What/which phenomena (people or setting, etc.) you wish to explore? - What kind of qualitative study does the inquiry suggest (e.g. ethnography, case study, narrative inquiry, action research, grounded theory, etc.)? - What types of data do you need to gather/generate? - How will you analyse the data? After identifying these initial yet important elements, you are required to write a report which includes the following format: 1 Introduction: 1.1 Introduction (which include the relevant educational issue) 1.2 Background of Problem 1.3 Statement of Problem 1.4 Research Objectives & Questions 1.5 Conceptual Framework (optional) 1.6 Importance of Study 1
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1.7 Scope of Study/Limitation of Study 1.8 Definitions of Terms 2 Literature Review - Summary and critical evaluation of relevant concepts or theories and past studies. Methodology 3.1 Qualitative Design 3.2 Philosophical Underpinning of Qualitative Design 3.3 Sampling 3.4 Data Collection Procedure 3.5 Data Analysis Procedure 3.6 Ensuring Quality for Qualitative Study 3.7 Ethical Consideration References Appendix (if any)

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Layout of the assignment: a. Font: Times New Roman; Font size: 12; Spacing: 1.5 spacing b. Write your name, matric number, course code (MPU 1023/4 Research Methods in Education) and the title using UTM format style. Please refer to: http://sps.utm.my/sps/images/academicresources/UTM%20Thesis%20Manual%202007 .pdf c. Language: English or Bahasa Malaysia This paper should not exceed 25 pages which excludes bibliography/references and appendices. Evaluation on your report will be based on the appropriateness of: i. the educational issues relevant to your specialisation ii. the title within the scope of your study/specialisation iii. research problem iv. objectives and research questions v. importance of research vi. literature review vii. intended research design viii. suggested data collection and analysis ix. the originality of proposed research

All best wishes!

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