Course name: – Diploma II. (The research plan)

Course coordinator: Dr. Roland Keszi
Course coordinator’s academic degree: PhD.
Course coordinator’s accreditation status (per the Hungarian Accreditation Committee, MAB): AT

Course objective:

Enabling students to develop an individual research design and facilitate their development through the application of a variety of research methodological techniques. In addition to their problem-finding and problem-solving skills, the goal is to develop their critical thinking. The primary aim of the subject is to raise the standard of Scientific Student Papers and especially of theses. Within the framework of the subject, the work to be carried out at the lectures and seminars — largely practice-oriented — was planned on the basis of the Research Methodology I. course.

Learning outcomes and competences:

Knowledge:

• The students have knowledge of the main theories, basic concepts, and processes of research methodology.

• Students have the potential for adapting research principles to special educational needs and are also familiar with current research findings.

Skills:

• The students have ability to apply knowledge of research methodology in an adaptive way according to the specific disability groups.

• Students understand actual processes and challenges in society, particularly in the educational environment, and choose methods and interventions that reflect to these.

Attitude:

• Students strive to develop self- and peer-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-reflexivity (also) in their work as a special educator.

• Students are aware of and committed to the educational and pedagogical goals of the pedagogy of people with disabilities. They see social processes and approaches to people with disabilities in their context and via this knowledge reflect on the problems of the present.

Autonomy and responsibility:

• Lectures, readings and tutorial classes require students’ autonomy. Preparing their research plan supports their professional responsibility.

Course content:

Main content and topics:

• The main models of social research in connection with special education research.

• Basic elements of empirical social research and the fundamentals of multivariate statistics.

• The fundamentals of analysis of variance.

• The one-sample t-test.

• The sign test. Comparison of means and medians; the two-sample t-test.

• Correlation (and univariate regression).

• Simultaneous comparison of several groups: analysis of variance.

• Cohesive pattern arrangements; the chi-square test.

Assessment and grading system:

The subject is taught in an alternating lecture-seminar format. The semester concludes with a practical (seminar) grade. As there is no central written exam, students’ work is assessed and the practical grade is awarded within the seminar.

Required reading for courses delivered in a foreign language:

1. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, S. (2000). Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage.

1. Rubin, A. & Babbie, E. (1997). Research Methods for Social Work. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Further required reading is part of every course syllabus.