Students

EDUC2920 – Research Inquiry in Education

2025 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Penny Van Bergen
Contact via penny.vanbergen@mq.edu.au
By request
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
80cp at 1000 level or above including (10cp of EDUC or EDST prefix)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
The unit provides an introduction to the theory and practice of educational research, and focuses on its application to the development and evaluation of innovative, evidence-based educational practices which enhance the quality of learning and teaching in school settings. Students work in groups to complete a sequence of tasks through which they develop the knowledge and skills required to analyse and critically evaluate the educational research literature in order to identify evidence-based solutions to particular problems or issues in learning and teaching, and to apply educational research methodologies to evaluate their effectiveness. This specialist knowledge and skills that students develop will enhance their capacity to make sound, evidence-based professional judgements, support their future self-directed professional learning, and thereby contribute to the ongoing refinement of their professional practice. The group work component of the unit will scaffold the development of students' abilities to work collaboratively in order to make a meaningful contribution to school-wide improvement efforts.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Identify, analyse and critically evaluate educational research literature in order to understand the nature of problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • ULO2: Identify evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • ULO3: Apply knowledge of the theory and practice of educational research methods in order to develop approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • ULO4: Collaborate with peers to develop strategies to identify, implement and evaluate evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • ULO5: Effectively communicate the theory and practice of educational research methods, and its application to identifying, implementing and evaluating evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings, to non-technical audiences who are stakeholders in school communities.

General Assessment Information

General Submission Information

Please format assessments using 12-point font and 1.5 spacing.

All assessments must be submitted electronically. Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assessments. It is the responsibility of all students to ensure that their submitted work is in a format compatible with Turnitin software for plagiarism checking. Submissions must meet the required file type and formatting specifications outlined in the assessment guidelines. Failure to submit work in an acceptable format may result in delays in processing your submission and potential penalties for non-compliance with assessment requirements. If you are unsure about the file format or have technical difficulties, it is your responsibility to seek assistance before the submission deadline. Students should be careful to check that they submit the correct file for an assessment as no re-submissions will be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file. It is not the responsibility of unit staff to contact students who have failed to submit assessments. If you have any missing items of assessment, it is your responsibility to contact the unit convenor.

Students can use Turnitin’s Originality Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing if this option is made available in the unit.

Word limits are strictly applied. Work above the word limit will not be marked.

 

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic integrity (see: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=3).

 

Unauthorised use of generative artificial  intelligence

occurs when a student uses material produced by a generative artificial intelligence in an academic exercise, without authorisation and submits it as their own work.

Unauthorised use of generative artificial intelligence may include using generative artificial intelligence to:

  • produce or retrieve information and then using that information in an academic exercise;
  • paraphrase text;
  • increase or enhance the quality of an academic exercise, beyond the purposes permitted within the academic exercise;
  • produce an answer for a task or quiz; and/or produce non-text-based work and then using that non-text-based work in an academic exercise.

Any student suspected of using unauthorised AI in an assignment will be referred to the Faculty of Arts Discipline Committee. Penalties can include reduced marks for an assessment, being awarded '0' for a task, failing an entire unit, being excluded from a course of study. Please see each assessment task description/rubric for expectations about AI.

 

Special Consideration / Late Penalties

Applications for extensions must be made via Service Connect.

 

Late submission penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day to late submissions, up until the 7th calendar day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.

Important to note:

  • Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application.
  • Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor (or equivalent).
  • Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.

 

Marking

All assessments are marked using a rubric.

Marking of all assessments is moderated by the Unit Convenor.

 

University Policy on Grading

Assignments will be awarded grades ranging from HD to F according to guidelines set out in the University's Grading System and University Assessment Policy.

To attain a pass or higher grade in Professional Experience a student must obtain a satisfactory in both the Professional Experience component and a pass or higher grade in the academic component. For Professional Experience units the Professional Experience Evaluation Report is marked as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. The Macquarie Teaching Performance Assessment (MQTPA - in final WIL/PEx units) is marked as Not met, Met or Exceeds.

 

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed because they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit Service Connect.

 

Withdrawing from this unit

If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice via Service Connect before doing so as this unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following sessions and may impact your course progression.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Annotated Bibliography (Group Work) and Essay (Individual) 30% No 23:55 on 07/09/2025
Participation Tasks 40% No 23:55 on 03/08; 17/08; 31/08; 21/09; 19/10
Research Proposal 30% No 23:55 on 26/10/2025

Annotated Bibliography (Group Work) and Essay (Individual)

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 23:55 on 07/09/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

Each group, collectively, explores the educational research literature in order to create a bibliography relating to their chosen problem or issue. Based on this, each group member, individually, explores a different facet of that problem or issue in their essay. Each student receives an individual mark

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, analyse and critically evaluate educational research literature in order to understand the nature of problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • Identify evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • Apply knowledge of the theory and practice of educational research methods in order to develop approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.

Participation Tasks

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 23:55 on 03/08; 17/08; 31/08; 21/09; 19/10
Weighting: 40%

 

Students complete 5 multiple choice quizzes and/or similar activities related to demonstrate their content knowledge. Each student receives an individual mark. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify, analyse and critically evaluate educational research literature in order to understand the nature of problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • Identify evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • Effectively communicate the theory and practice of educational research methods, and its application to identifying, implementing and evaluating evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings, to non-technical audiences who are stakeholders in school communities.

Research Proposal

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 23:55 on 26/10/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

Informed by the essays they produced, each group refines their problem or issue, explores the educational research literature in order to propose a new research study. The group, collectively, produces a report, and each student receives the group mark.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • Apply knowledge of the theory and practice of educational research methods in order to develop approaches to evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • Collaborate with peers to develop strategies to identify, implement and evaluate evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings.
  • Effectively communicate the theory and practice of educational research methods, and its application to identifying, implementing and evaluating evidence-based solutions to problems and issues that impact the quality of learning and teaching in school settings, to non-technical audiences who are stakeholders in school communities.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Delivery

This unit includes weekly lecture podcasts and online tutorials. Please ensure you have listened to the relevant weekly lecture podcasts before attending your tutorial.

 

Resources

You will need regular access to the internet and word processing software to complete this unit.

 

Required and recommended texts

Recommended texts will be posted on iLearn in the relevant week.

 

Information about the unit iLearn site 

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn. Information for students about access to the online component of this unit is available at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/index.php. You will need to enter your student username and password.

Please do NOT contact the Unit Convenor regarding iLearn technical help. Assistance is available from IT Helpdesk: via email onehelp@mq.edu.au or Ph: 9850 4357 or 1800 67 4357. On Campus: Ground floor at 18 Wally’s Walk.

Unit Schedule

A unit schedule is provided on iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

 

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

 

School of Education Procedures

In addition, the following policies and procedures for the Macquarie School of Education apply to this unit.

 

Academic Progression Policy

This unit is a part of a professional course listed on Schedules 2 and 3 of the Academic Progression Policy. This course has additional requirements that are applicable for the full duration of the course, including course-specific Inherent Requirements, Fitness to Practice requirements and other compulsory course requirements. It also has rigorous academic progression standards. Inability to meet these requirements may result in a withdrawal of offer of admission and/or permanent exclusion from the course in accordance with the General Coursework Rules.

 

Communication

It is the student’s responsibility to check all electronic communication on a weekly basis.  Communication may occur via:

  • Official MQ Student Email Address
  • The Dialogue function on iLearn
  • Other iLearn communication functions

 

Attendance and Participation

See the University timetable for information about when classes begin in this unit. Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au)

 

Attendance at all synchronous activities, completion of non-synchronous formative/diagnostic class tasks and involvement in professional forums is  expected as the Bachelor of Education component of your degree is a professional qualification. Activities completed during weekly tutorials (DAY or ONLINE DAY mode) or on campus days (INFQ mode) are essential for building the core knowledge and/or skills required to demonstrate the learning outcomes of this unit and to meet the AITSL Graduate Teacher Standards and/or ACECQA requirements. Attendance at all tutorials and/or on campus days is expected and will be recorded. Make up tasks may be given if attendance is missed to ensure all content is covered to meet accreditation requirements.

 

Students are required to attend the tutorial in which they are enrolled. Any changes to tutorial enrolments must be completed officially through e-Student. Please do not contact the unit convenor to request a change.

 

Infrequent Attendance Students

Information about the dates of the on-campus sessions can be found in the university timetable. Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au)

  • The on campus sessions are essential to student engagement and learning and attendance is expected. Failure to attend or not to have an approved Special Consideration may result in a Fail grade.
  • Prior to the on campus sessions, students should have read the prescribed readings and listened to the lectures, summarise the main points, and make notes of the key terms and definitions. Prepare any discussion questions of your own that you wish to share.
  • Please make effective use of the online component of the unit and access iLearn regularly. Keep up to date with listening to the lectures on a weekly basis.
  • Further details and any updates about times and locations will be posted on iLearn as an Announcement during first half of the semester.

Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook