teaching social science research methods in a thai university: presentation by supachai...

Supachai ChuenjitwongsaYsgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

Teaching

Social Sciences

Research Methods (SSRM)

in a Thai University

Overview

Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

• UG curriculum in Thailand

• Ideal Graduates III course

• Teaching and Learning

• Assessment

• Feedback

UG Curriculum in Thailand

1/4 of the

curriculum

Students from different

schools

Life skills / General

knowledge

SSRM

General Education


Professional

Education

3/4 or 5/6 of the

curriculum

Professional

competences

Students from the same

school

Ideal Graduates III Course

Ideal Graduates III

Students (n=30)

Engineering

Sciences

Dentistry

Journalism

Politics

Business

Critical Thinking

Creative Thinking

General Education


Ethics

Course Content

1. Interdisciplinary Concept

2. Critical Thinking

3. Creative Thinking

4. Research Project

5. Lifelong Learning

6. Interpersonal skills

7. Ethics


1. World of Knowledge

2. Positivism/Post-positivism

3. Interpretivism

4. Research Methodology

5. Reflection/SDL

6. Dissemination

7. Ethics

What I taught What did they mean

Teaching and Learning (15 weeks)

• 60% Project WorkInterview Project

Small-scale Research

• 30% Classroom-based

Small Group

Lecture

• 10% Field Work


Examples of T/L sessions

1. World of Knowledge

Discuss MVs from several famous bands

2. Positivism/Post-positivism

Critical appraisal of TV adverts

3. Interpretivism

Group activity: Create a/an … (abstract noun) and

explain “WHY” do you make it like that

4. Research Methodology

Group discussion: If you wanted to know … how could

you understand it/them? And by what tool(s)?


Assessment

• 20% Shared activities (Ideal Grad 1-5)

• 80% Ideal Grad 3

• 10% Interview Project

• 30% Small-scale Research Project 10% Report

20% Presentation

• 20% Final Exam (Essay)

• 20% Reflection Sheet


Assessment


Miller’s Pyramid

Setting Assessment Methods


Outcome Level Method

Interdisciplinary Knows How Project/Essay

Critical/Creative

Thinking

Knows How Project/Essay

Communication Shows Project

Behaviour (classroom)

SDL Shows Project

Ethics Shows Project

Behaviour (classroom)

Field Work

Assessment Rubric


ScoreUnderstand of

the problem

Understand of

principles /

methods

Result /

Interpretation

Communication

skills

5

4

3

2

1

Example of the projects

• Improving environment around the main university

cafeteria

• Information about health service in the university (a

leaflet)

• Customer satisfaction of the coach running

between 2 main university campus

• Do(s) and Don’t(s) for using the student union

building


Course Evaluation

• The highest “course satisfaction score”

amongst all Ideal Grad courses

• Students were highly satisfied with the

application of:

Critical appraisal skills

Different types of knowledge and truth

Research design, analysis, interpretation

and dissemination

Interpersonal skills


Feedback from students

“This course helped me a lot for better

understanding the SSRM course taught in my

own school.” (Y3 Politics)

“I know how to apply basic research skills in

my everyday life.” (Y1 Sciences)

“I got a job. During the interview I used many

skills I gained from this course.” (Y4 Business)


Conclusion (My experience)

• SSRM can be taught in different academic

environments (e.g. professional courses, general

education courses)

• Teaching and Learning SSRM How to apply research skills in everyday life

How to understand the world of research

Use different T/L methods to support student learning

• Assessment At which level that students need to achieve?

Use different assessment methods

Assess on what you teach and what they need to learn


Input OutputOutcome

Support

From AMEE Guide No. 14 Part 1

Thank you

for your attention

Diolch am eich sylw


Acknowledgement

Thank you to my TA: Dr.Ravee Sajjasophon