This document provides instructions for an assignment on educational research. It outlines 4 questions related to qualitative and quantitative research methods. Question 1 asks to outline the introduction, procedures, and significance of a qualitative study on regional education services. Question 2 involves identifying variables and their classifications in a quantitative research question. Question 3 requires selecting appropriate research design elements like title, worldview, approach, and methodology for a study on overcrowded classrooms. Question 4 distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative research in terms of data collection instruments, analysis, and reporting. The assignment aims to evaluate understanding of key research concepts and their application in developing research proposals.

1. ASSIGNMENT LETTER
Bachelor of Education Pre/Lower & Upper Primary
(Honours)
2016 SEMESTER (1)
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
[CFP/CFU3781]
DUE DATES
Assignment 1 14 March 2016 Semester 1 and
Year modules
Assignment 2 29 March 2016 Only Semester 1 modules
Assignments
Resubmissions
18 April 2016 All assignments of Semester 1
modules and assignment 1 of
Year modules
Vacation School 22 -24 March 2016 All CODeL Programmes

2. CENTRE FOR OPEN, DISTANCE AND eLEARNING
Open your mind
2016 Assignments
[CFP/CFU 3781 – Educational Research]
Dear Student,
Welcome to the University of Namibia and to the Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning in
particular. We hope your studies will be rewarded with success. We advise that you get all the
relevant information and booklets available for distance students from your nearest UNAM centre
(including the Student Letter for 2016 and the CODeL Student Handbook). These documents
will provide advice on how to approach your studies and will guide you through your study
materials as well as providing with useful administrative information.
Study materials
Your study guide is essentially your “teacher/lecturer”. However, in addition you are required to
visit the library to consult prescribed books and recommended readings that are indicated in the
study guide. You are also responsible to purchase any prescribed textbooks required for your
course. Furthermore, you are strongly advised to follow the guidelines in CODeL Student
Handbook.
Submission of assignments
It is very important to complete and submit a clean, clear and well-argued assignment for marking.
Make sure that you have answered the questions correctly. It is the responsibility of you as a
student to make sure that every page of the completed assignment is numbered in the correct
order before the pages are stapled together inside the assignment cover. Once completed, each
assignment must be stapled in a separate assignment cover. Assignment covers and envelopes
are supplied together with your study materials during registration or on request from your nearest
campus and/or centre. You must use the envelopes addressed to the Centre for Open, Distance
and eLearning for the submission of all assignments. You should complete and submit all
assignments on or before the given due date in the assignment letter if you wish to be admitted
to the next examination.
Note that assignments received after the due dates will not be accepted and therefore will not
be included in the calculation of continuous assessment (CA) marks. The CA mark and the
examination mark will determine your final mark for the module.
For record keeping and to ensure that assignments reach us in good time, submit your completed
assignments on time to the Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning, either
- through the University regional centres, or
- via the UNAM Student Portal (find more information below)*
If you live in the vicinity of Windhoek and prefer to hand in assignments personally, you are
welcome to hand them in at the offices of the Centre for Open, Distance and eLearning by placing
them in the assignment box provided for that purpose, located in the F-Block on the Main Campus.

3. This box is accessible at all times and is cleared daily at 07H30, Monday to Friday. Assignments
left overnight are stamped with the next day’s date.
Take note that assignments should never be submitted directly to individual tutors or any
other staff members of the University of Namibia.
*When submitting your assignments electronically on the UNAM Student Portal follow the link
provided on the UNAM Portal, which will import all the required information, such as your student
number, name, module name and code as well as the assignment number.
*You are discouraged from using Nampost for submitting assignments because of delays in the
delivery.
LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS or WRITING OF TESTS
Late assignment will not be marked. If there is a reason why you cannot meet the due
date, please consider cancelling the module within the cancellation deadlines or
contact your Deputy Director: Open and Distance Learning for advice.
The following reasons may be considered for extension of due dates:
 personal illness or injury, or serious illness or death of an immediate relative,
immediately preceding assignment due dates, provided that a death certificate or a
medical certificate specifying the nature and duration of the illness or injury is attached
 other circumstances that may affect your studies and that justify the late submission of
an assignment or writing of a test.
It is the responsibility of individual students to apply for an extension before the due
dates of the assignments and submit supporting documentation.
Vacation schools
Attending vacation school is COMPULSORY and the vacation school timetable will be made
available at your nearest UNAM centre and through the UNAM portal.
My UNAM portal
We recommend that you regularly (at least twice a week) access “My UNAM Portal” on the UNAM
website for further information at the following URL: www.unam.na
Closing remarks
If you study conscientiously, your efforts will be rewarded. Should you need any assistance or
clarification on the module contents, you can reach the relevant staff members at the contact
details as given below:
Tutor: Allen Chainda 066-253422 achainda@unam.na
Student Support
Coordinator:
Emmy
Tjiramba
061- 2063677 evtjiramba@unam.na

4. Examination Officer
Emilia
Hasheela
061- 206 3087 ehasheela@unam.na
NOTE: For additional information consult the CODeL Prospectus and UNAM General Information
and Regulations Prospectus.

5. [CFP/CFU 3781 – Educational Research]
ASSIGNMENT 1
INSTRUCTIONS
 Answer all the questions. Full marks will only be awarded to well-explained answers
 Mark allocation indicate quality/quantity of expected answers
QUESTION 1
Qualitative research on Regional Office services
Teachers in your education Region are concerned with the services that they get from officials at
the Regional Office. These services include support for learner guidance and counselling, remedial
teaching, large class teaching techniques, multi-grade teaching, etc. Through debate and
interaction, teachers pre-concluded that their teaching performance is to an extent influenced by
the quality of services that they receive from Regional Directorates. The Regional Education
Director has provided funds to conduct a study on the matter and invites proposals. As an
educational research expert and drawing from a qualitative constructivists / interpretivist
perspective, what would you write under the following research proposal steps if you were to
engage this matter?
1. Introduction (6)
2. Procedures (8)
3. Expected impact and significance of the study (2)
Subtotal [16]
QUESTION 2
Quantitative research design
Study the research question below and answer the questions following thereafter.
‘How does region of origin influence access to hostel accommodation at the University of
Namibia’.
1. Identify variables in the question above and classify them as either dependent. (4)
2. Motivate why you classified the variables as either dependent or independent? (2)

6. 3. Identify another variable (extraneous variable) other than the independent variable that
could influence the dependent variable and results of the study. (2)
4. The term research site is used in most research. Define the term and identify an example
of a research site in the research question stated above. (2)
Subtotal [10]
QUESTION 3
Research Design
Overcrowded classrooms are common in most primary schools country wide. The official
classroom capacity of 35 learners and a teacher is far from reality. At some schools, there are more
than 55 learners in one classroom with two to three learners sharing a chair and desk. Teachers
claim that MOE is in bridge of the teacher/learner ratio policy and are considering taking the issue
to court. At a recent meeting, teachers pointed to the implementation of Education for All policy
as propelling the problem. Out of concern a teacher shouted ‘classrooms are overcrowded and we
are unable to deliver, how can we deliver, deliver and deliver? Another teacher jumps in and says
‘learners are too many and MOE is negligent and by the time we realise, this issue will be a
phenomena’.
You are tasked to investigate the issue as a research project towards achievement of your
Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Honors). Approach your project based on these guidelines:
1. Create a working title for the project. (2)
2. Position the project in a philosophical worldview and state reasons why you have
positioned the project as such. (4)
3. Decide on the research approach suitable for the project and state why? (4)
4. Which research design is appropriate for the project and why? (5)
5. Which research methodology will you adopt and why (5)
Subtotal [20]

7. QUESTION 4
Qualitative vs Quantitative Research
Qualitative research is distinct from quantitative research. Clearly distinguish between the two
based on the following;
1. Instruments for data collection (2)
2. Data analysis (2)
3. Report (2)
Subtotal [6]
TOTAL MARKS: [50]