Course code Peda6051

Credit points 16.50

Master Thesis IV

Total Hours in Course440

Date of course confirmation19.03.2013

Responsible UnitInstitute of Mechanics and Design

Course developers

author prof.

Baiba Briede

Dr. paed.

author

Ludis Pēks

Dr. paed.

Course abstract

The course aim is to promote research competencies, to develop in-depth independent research skills and abilities, as reflected in the thesis, as well as defend the thesis. Master thesis is a scientific and exploratory work. Authors study current scientific or practical educational problems.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

• Knowledge: on characteristics of master thesis in the field of education, analyse and to solve problems of study. Students know how to choose a subject of study which is based on theoretical and practical aspects of education. Students know how to formulate object, aim, hypothesis, objectives and definite research methods as well as they know how to reflect self-experience of research topic.
• Skills: to develops research work skills and applies the qualitative and quantitative research methodologies engaging as well as know how it reflect in the master thesis.
• Competence: to be able to gather information about study and to evaluate used theoretical approaches, theories and models. Students are able to evaluate theoretical study results and to formulate conclusions and recommendations.

Compulsory reading

1. Geske A., Grīnfelds A. Izglītības pētniecība. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2006. 261 lpp.
2. Kroplijs A., Raščevska M. Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Rīga: RaKa, 2010. 190 lpp.
3. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Rīga: RaKa, 2010. 284 lpp.
4. Cohen L., Manion L., Morrison K. Research Methods in Education. London; New York: Routledge, 2007. 638 p.

Further reading

1. Katane I., Pēks L. Izglītības ekoloģija: starpdisciplinārs virziens izglītības pētniecībā. Sērija Izglītības ekoloģija. Jelgava: LLU, IMI, 2006. 55 lpp.
2. Briede B., Pēks L. Ekoloģiskā pieeja izglītībā. Sērija Izglītības ekoloģija. Jelgava: LLU, IMI, 2011. 160 lpp.
3. Creswell J.W. Education research: planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Upper Saddle River, N.J. : Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall, 2008. 670 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. American Psychological Association. Using American Psychological Association (APA) Format. (Updated to 5th Edition). Purdue University Online Writing Lab. 2010. Available: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_apa.html
2. Higher Education.The International Journal of Higher Education Research. Print ISSN: 0018-1560. Online ISSN: 1573-174X