Postgraduate - Edith Cowan University

esearch in one or more specialist areas. For information on unit
selection, see the information under Master of Education by
coursework.
Research Thesis
The Master of Education thesis is equivalent to four units of
study. The thesis topic can be chosen from areas that relate to the
student’s own professional work or from other areas of interest. A
higher level of scholarship is expected in the Master of Education
thesis than in an Honours thesis. This level would be exemplified
by the use of more sophisticated research methods, or
measurement or by a more extensive data collection procedure
relating to a more complex model than that required in an
Honours thesis. It is expected that the thesis will add to
knowledge in a selected field of study. An adapted version of a
good quality thesis would be of a standard suitable for publication
in a refereed journal. The length of the thesis in its typed final
form, excluding references and appendices, would normally be
25,000-35,000 words.
Students will work with a specialist coordinator and/or supervisor
to identify and clarify a thesis topic. Students prepare a detailed
proposal that can be presented to a graduate seminar involving
interested staff and students. Following the graduate seminar,
students will submit for approval to the School Postgraduate
Study Committee a detailed research proposal. Ethics clearance is
required from the Committee for Conduct of Ethical Research.
The thesis is equivalent to four units (EDU6180, EDU6181,
EDU6182 and EDU6183) and students must remain enrolled in at
least one of these thesis preparation units while they are
conducting research and writing the thesis until the thesis is
submitted for examination. When the thesis is submitted for
examination the student should have completed at least the
equivalent of four unit enrolments.
Visual Arts Education
The Master of Education (Visual Arts Education) is designed for
students who have a background in teaching and who wish to link
studio practice with education. Students enrolled in this stream
should be motivated by the desire to develop their knowledge and
understanding of the artistic process which they could apply in
their teaching.
This award maintains the standard framework of the Master of
Education program but differs in two respects:
(i) completion of AED5107 Landscape and You (an external
unit),
(ii) inclusion of an alternative presentation mode for the thesis -
this being a Creative Project in the form of a presentation or
exhibition supported by a written component.
RES5101 Research Preparation: Methods of Research 20
EDU6188 Independent Study 15
EDU6189 Independent Study 15
EDU6195 Advanced Seminar 10
EDU6200 Master of Education: Thesis 0
Coursework
Students are required to complete RES5101 plus three other level
6 units. Two of these three units should be the research oriented
Independent Study units EDU6188 and EDU6189 which are used
to develop the research proposal and instruments for the study.
Students are recommended to take the Advanced Seminar unit
EDU6195, however, an alternative unit may be selected in
consultation with the Course Coordinator.
Research Thesis
The M.Ed. thesis component is equivalent to 0.5 year of full-time
of study. The thesis topic can be chosen from areas that relate to
the student’s own professional work or from other areas of
interest. A high level of scholarship is expected in the M.Ed. by
Coursework and Thesis. It is expected that the thesis will make an
original contribution to knowledge in a selected field of study. An
adapted version of a good quality thesis would be of a standard
suitable for publication in a refereed journal. The length of the
thesis in its typed final form, excluding references and
appendices, would normally be 25,000-35,000 words.
Students will work with a supervisor to identify and clarify a
thesis topic. Students prepare a detailed proposal that is presented
to a graduate seminar involving interested staff and students.
Following the graduate seminar, students will submit a detailed
research proposal for approval. Ethics clearance is required from
the Human Research Ethics Committee before data collection can
commence.
While working on the thesis, students enrol in the research thesis
unit EDU6200. Students are required to continue re-enrolling in
EDU6200 until the thesis is submitted for examination. Enrolment
in EDU6200 is generally at 50% or 100% of full-time enrolment.
Enrolment at 25% is subject to approval of the research
supervisor.
Arts Practice
Teachers of drama, dance, visual arts, music and media who
choose Arts Practice as their area of interest are provided with an
opportunity to undertake research based practice and/or
performance. Students will normally commence the M.Ed. by
Coursework and complete RES5101 and EDU6195.
Admission to the Arts Practice area of interest will be based on
having demonstrated a high level of scholarship in the first two
M.Ed. units and on an interview and/or portfolio. Candidates will
then develop a research proposal through Independent Study units
EDU6188 and EDU6189. Following approval of the research
proposal and ethics clearance, candidates develop a body of
creative work and an exegesis which contextualises the creative
work within contemporary practice and within an educational
framework. While working on their creative work/research,
students enrol in the research thesis unit EDU6200. Students are
required to continue re-enrolling in EDU6200 until their creative
work is ready for examination. Enrolment in EDU6200 is
generally at 50% or 100% of full-time enrolment. Enrolment at
25% is subject to approval of the research supervisor.
The creative work is examined at an exhibition or performance
and is weighted at 60% of the research component. The exegesis
is also examined and is weighted at 40% of the research
component.
MASTER OF NURSING
Course Code 695
Course Code N98
INTRODUCTION
The aim of the Master of Nursing by research is to extend the
knowledge of nurses who have mastered the skills and
professional requirements of a particular setting in order that they
may develop leadership roles within the profession and open up
new areas for professional development. The course prepares
graduates for further study at the doctorate level.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Applicants must be currently registered nurses.
2. All applicants must be in possession of a nursing or other
appropriate degree or the equivalent, and must have a
minimum of two years post-registration nursing experience.
3. All applicants are required to provide:
(a) A certified copy of current registration.
(b) A certified copy of academic transcripts at Bachelor
level and above.
194 ECU Postgraduate Course Guide 2008