Course Syllabus for students Autumn 2019

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

- design and conduct a thesis project based on an empirical study or a structured literature review in early childhood education
- describe and explain theoretical and methodological principles for conducting research in early childhood education

- organize and apply observation, documentary and analytic research methods in the implementation of a research study in early childhood education
- summarize and communicate the design, implementation and findings of one’s research project in both oral and written form
- defend and critique arguments, methods, and findings of studies in early childhood education
- identify and articulate research problems, aims, and questions in the area of early childhood education

- critically evaluate and reflect on the design, implementation, and findings of research studies in early childhood education
- critically evaluate the practical and theoretical implications of research for the practice of early childhood education

• Research design
• Research project implementation
• Thesis writing
• Peer and expert review
• Research communication

The course combines one-on-one supervision between students and their academic mentor, and workshops in which students read and comment on one another’s work, and review theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of one another’s ongoing thesis project. Instruction will also be supplemented with an online learning management platform (Ping Pong) used for course communication and assignment distribution and evaluation
Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive instruction/supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted. After that, the right to receive instruction/supervision expires.

The teaching is conducted in English.

Completed courses The growth and development of the Swedish preschool: from social policy to educational policy, 10 credits, Preschool educational/didactical perspectives focusing on play, exploration and learning, 10 credits, Systematic documentation, analysis, evaluation and leadership in preschool, 10 credits and Research Methods in Early Childhood Education, 15 credits, and at least 15 passed credits from the first semester of the programme, or the equivalent. English proficiency is required. Exemption is granted from requirement in Swedish.

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

The grades A, B, C, D and E are all passing grades, while FX and F constitute failing grades.

To pass the course, the student must fulfill all the course requirements.

The student must write and orally present and defend their master’s thesis. The oral defense of the thesis is conducted by a faculty examiner with the participation of a student peer opponent. The student must also read and critically evaluate a thesis written by a peer. The critique of the peer’s thesis must be given orally during the peer’s thesis defense.

The examination must allow for students to be assessed on an individual basis. Students may not make a second attempt at any examination (or element of examination) already passed in order to receive a higher grade. Further information concerning assessment and grading criteria is provided in a study guide distributed at the beginning of the course.

Students are guaranteed a minimum of three examination occasions, including the regular
occasion.

If a student has failed the same examination three times, the student is entitled to request that the next examination is assessed and graded by a new examiner if possible. The decision to accept or reject such a request is made by the course coordinator, or, in case the course coordinator is also the examiner, by a person appointed by the Managing Director.

In case the course is terminated or significantly altered, examination according to the present course syllabus shall be offered on at least two occasions in the course of one year after the termination/alteration.

The thesis must be written in English.

Evaluations in the course will be based on the following exams:
1. Master's Thesis (15 Credits) – Grading: A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Master's (60 credit) Thesis	15 credits	A/B/C/D/E/FX/F

At the end of the course, a course evaluation is performed and commented on by the course coordinator and, if possible, a student/students (course developer/s). The course evaluation, which is published on the relevant learning platform and submitted to the study administration, is to function as a basis for future improvements to the course.

Course literature is selected by each student in accordance to the focus of each student’s thesis project, and with oversight from the student’s thesis supervisor.

Reference literature

Bryman, Alan (2012). Social research methods (4th ed). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Jesson, Jill, Matheson, Lydia, & Lacey, Fiona (2011). Doing your literature review: Traditional and systematic techniques. London: Sage.

Muhkerji, Penny & Albon, Deborah (2018). Research methods in early childhood education, 3rd edition. London: Sage.

Citing Sources – How to Create Literature References. http:ju.se/library/search-- write/citingsources---how-to-create-literature-references.html

Information Material about Anti-Plagiarism at Universities. The Interactive Anti-Plagiarism Guide – Jönköping University. http:pingpong.hj.se/public/courseId/10565/publicPage.do