Information for Prospective Students
Why do a research degree in the Faculty of Education?
Research degrees in the area of Education are designed to prepare students for careers that involve the conduct of scholarly research in schools, tertiary education institutions, government departments, research agencies and consultancy. Very few research degrees in education do not have an applied component whether by implication or directly incorporated into the research problem and outcomes. Our Doctorate of Education, however, is explicitly designed to prepare professional leaders in education and related areas.
All research students are supervised by at least one member of the academic staff with an established research reputation, and the required experience in supervision. Normally two supervisors are appointed to strengthen the support available to the research student and to provide a broad range of advice.
For administrative information contact UniAdvice or our Professional Officer, Research.
For academic advice contact Associate Dean Research.
Types of research degrees in Education
Research Expectations
Master of Education (Research)
The MEd (Res) provides specified research training in the form of a suite of research subjects. The thesis will be concerned with the substantiation of an existing idea in a new context; the reinterpretation of existing data; or a substantial review of an area of research, of a standard to be publishable in a refereed review journal. It may provide the background in research training to prepare candidates for an upgrade to a PhD.
Doctor of Education
The thesis should report original work, possibly of an applied nature, into issues of professional or policy concern. It is particularly applicable to candidates who want to bring about changes in professional practice or improve their own practice as a professional educator. It is expected that the work should be of a standard to produce refereed publications.
Doctor of Philosophy
The thesis will report original research which covers new ground and adds to the knowledge base of the discipline. It is expected that the work should be of a standard to produce refereed publications.
How to choose a supervisor
In the first instance prospective research students usually look for two main qualities in a supervisor: expertise in the chosen area of study and some indication of personal compatibility. The ideal case is therefore one where a student meets with prospective supervisors and both parties agree to the arrangement. The staff profiles and descriptions of research groups in the faculty provide a first step in this process.
Sometimes however this is not possible and supervisors are allocated to students on the basis of the outline of the research sent with the application for enrolment (UniAdvice Application Process). The proposal review process allows for a reconsideration of the supervisory relationship as well as its other purposes.
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