This unit builds on the work developed in Research Methods in Educational Contexts (ED990.512) and involves a 10,000-word research study grounded in the field of professional teaching practice. It is designed for students to develop a deeper understanding of educational issues and prepare students who intend to continue in educational research. The study must address: · an issue in an area of curriculum, teaching and learning, student assessment and reporting, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, classroom ecology, integrating ICT, leadership in educational contexts, OR · the experience and professional demands of the educational professionals in the local context, OR · any issue that appropriately relates to professional practice as described in the Australian Professional Teaching Standards. The topic must be agreed upon with their supervisor. The approach taken must employ at least one appropriate theoretical lens and involve a rich analysis of the roles, responsibilities and challenges commonly acknowledged in the domain of teaching practice. Topics could therefore be concerned with intervention, innovation and positive culture change and may involve some variant of action research pending institutional access and ethics permissions. In any event, chosen research topics and findings should potentially be beneficial to relevant educational stakeholders, including (but not limited to) research participants. Other methods may include a meta-synthesis of research, critical ethnography, phenomenological or narrative methodologies. Those involving human participation beyond the scope of the student’s immediate educational role will require ethics clearance from the college HREC and other relevant ethics bodies. Ultimately, the research should inform the student’s professional educational practices. This project will usually take place within the scope of the 14 weeks of the semester in which the student is enrolled, utilising an appropriate methodology based upon a proposal that has been approved both by their supervising lecturer and the College HREC or their representative.