Educational Research and Social Work

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary approach to take when analyzing literature for research?

Include every source read in the research.

Adopt a constructive critical approach. (correct)

Provide a catalogue of all known sources.

Adopt a purely descriptive method.

What common mistake do students make while conducting research?

Getting sidetracked with unrelated issues. (correct)

Maintaining focus on the research problem.

Discarding irrelevant literature early.

Limiting their sources to only essential ones.

What should be avoided to ensure a dissertation is concise?

Incorporating primary research data.

Including only a few key articles.

Engaging with seminal works in the field.

Using potentially irrelevant sources. (correct)

What qualities are essential for completing a dissertation within a timeframe?

Commitment, perseverance, and hard work. Signup and view all the answers

How should one approach the selection of sources for a dissertation?

By being selective and only including valuable sources. Signup and view all the answers

What inspired the author to complete a MA study in German literature?

Interest in scientific work and theatre Signup and view all the answers

Which plays were analyzed in the author's MA study?

Leben des Galilei, Die Physiker, Plaston:DNS-kind Signup and view all the answers

How does the study describe the portrayal of scientists in the selected plays?

As fallible and tragi-comical figures Signup and view all the answers

What is the central theme addressed in relation to the scientist's dilemma in the plays?

Social responsibility versus scientific enquiry Signup and view all the answers

What does the author define educational research as?

A particular mode of social work Signup and view all the answers

How is human science described in the context provided?

As a quest for verified knowledge about man Signup and view all the answers

What is noted about the relationship between research documents and their perceived impact on educational practice?

No significant relationship is reassuring Signup and view all the answers

What principle does Dürrenmatt express regarding issues that concern everyone?

They should be solved by all Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the HSRC recommendations were fully implemented according to Van Zyl's study?

30% Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is highlighted by Jansen regarding the relationship between policy-oriented research and the state?

It needs to retain a critical distance from the state. Signup and view all the answers

How many of the recommendations from the HSRC investigation disappeared without implementation?

7 Signup and view all the answers

According to Van Zyl, what has historically influenced the implementation of educational recommendations?

The existing political framework. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a key outcome of the HSRC investigation regarding educational policy?

It showed that constructive academic research can influence educational policy. Signup and view all the answers

How many recommendations from the HSRC investigation were partially implemented?

21 Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the impact of politics on educational recommendations based on the text?

Political considerations can overshadow academic recommendations. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research is implied to be necessary for addressing issues like racial divisions and class inequalities in education?

Research that remains critically distanced from the state. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of the research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council in South Africa?

Provision of education in the RSA Signup and view all the answers

Which publication discusses the challenges of developing intellectuals at Tukkies?

Why Tukkies cannot develop intellectuals Signup and view all the answers

Who authored the paper 'The mission of the African university in the third millennium'?

Kamper GD Signup and view all the answers

What does the Code of research ethics established by the HSRC aim to address?

Quality assurance in research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following articles examines educational research, democracy, and practice?

Educational research, democracy and practice Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant concern raised in Kamper GD's 1996 conference proceedings?

Ethical accountability in educational research Signup and view all the answers

What type of study does the article by Levy CS focus on?

Social work ethics Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key concerns of the Human Sciences Research Council regarding education in South Africa?

Equity in educational opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary focus of the De Lange investigation regarding education in South Africa?

Setting and revising national research priorities Signup and view all the answers

Which entity was established in 1999 to influence the research landscape in South Africa?

National Research Foundation (NRF) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the broad focus areas identified by the NRF in the domain of education?

Science, technology, and mathematics education Signup and view all the answers

What is a suggested action for the HSRC to enhance the effectiveness of educational research?

Conduct a meta-analysis of related projects Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is highlighted regarding the implementation of national research priorities in education?

Supervisors and promoters' engagement in priority areas Signup and view all the answers

Which major social issue is mentioned as a potential focus for HSRC research programs?

Alleviation of poverty Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about research issues set by NRF is true?

They cover broad issues including HIV/AIDS in education. Signup and view all the answers

What is a suggested benefit of conducting educational research according to the content?

It enhances the accountability and relevance of education to social issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Educational research is a form of social work, aiming to improve educational practice through accountable scientific methods.
Human science is described as the pursuit of verified knowledge about humans for the benefit of humanity.
This aligns with educational research as essentially a service with a strong ethical foundation.
However, a gap exists between the number of research documents on education and the perceived impact of this research on educational practices.

National Research Priorities in South Africa

In the past, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) played a significant role in defining national research priorities for education.
The HSRC's investigation into education in South Africa resulted in the creation of 18 work committees, leading to the identification and prioritization of national research priorities.
These priorities were reflected in the research conducted by masters and doctoral students.
In 1999, the National Research Foundation (NRF) was established, with a focus area for educational research called "Education and the challenges for change."
This area encompassed seven research issues, including restructuring in higher education, science and technology education, HIV/AIDS in education, and language issues.
The NRF funds research projects and provides funding for research programs relevant to these issues.
Although these focus areas are essential, there is a need for meta-analyses of projects within each focus area to facilitate policy and practical implications.

HSRC’s Role in Research and Policy Making

The HSRC is well-positioned to establish national research priorities and initiate national research programs in the human sciences.
The HSRC conducts research initiatives, such as a comprehensive research program on poverty alleviation, incorporating a meta-analysis of NRF-registered projects.
Educational research is expected to contribute significantly to such efforts, demonstrating its relevance and accountability to social issues.
In the past, the HSRC conducted a major investigation into providing education in South Africa, leading to 54 key recommendations.
A retrospective study by Van Zyl (1991) revealed that 30% of these recommendations were fully implemented, 39% were partially implemented, and 19% were not implemented at all, with the remaining 13% disappearing into oblivion.

Impact of Research on Education Policy

While constructive research impact on education policy is conceivable, maintaining critical distance between research and the state is crucial.
Research should not be solely a tool for the state and should retain a critical perspective to challenge policies that might exacerbate inequality.

Doctoral Dissertation Writing

The process of researching and writing must include a critical analysis of existing literature, comparing and evaluating findings, and challenging perspectives.
Be selective in choosing relevant sources, avoiding unnecessary inclusion of information or sources that might be interesting but not directly pertinent to the research question.
Focus on the research problem and dissertation, avoiding distractions or sidetracks.
Avoid “fillers” and resist the urge to expand the dissertation with irrelevant information.
The key to achieving a dissertation is persistence, hard work, and commitment to the research problem.

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Description

This quiz explores the intersection of educational research and social work, highlighting how research can improve educational practices through ethical frameworks. It also discusses the role of the Human Sciences Research Council in shaping national research priorities in South Africa. Engage with key concepts and their implications in the field of education.