Postgraduate research opportunities An investigation into an aspect of Science Education Research

There is an opportunity for an interested potential PhD student to engage in a project focused on an aspect of Science Education Research (SER). My particular interests in this field are in the overlap of mathematics and science education,^1,2 and projects in this area might serve to answer these sorts of questions:

• How well are students prepared for the mathematical aspects of science curricula?
• What level of numeracy is maintained throughout University education, and beyond?
• Can Hogan’s Numeracy Framework be used to diagnose the ‘Mathematics Problem’?

Other suggested topics might include:

• Authentic development of simulated peer-assessment activities^3,4
• What ‘resources’, physical or mental, do students require to learn effectively?

However, there are a variety of potential areas that can be explored, so you are welcome to engage in discussion with me to determine a different, suitable project.

Methods

Entirely dependent on the specific project, however, they might include qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of questionnaires or test instruments.

References

1 F. J. Scott, Euro. J. Sci. Math. Educ., 2016, 4, 115-128.

2 F. J. Scott, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., 13, 2012, 330-336.

3 F. J. Scott, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract., 2014, 15, 568-575.

4 F. J. Scott, J. Bio. Ed., advanced article, DOI:10.1080/00219266.2016.1177571