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Description
This module provides an overview of systematic comparative analysis in the social science of education and shows you how to use this method for constructive explanation and theory building. We will ask crucial questions such as why some national education systems produce higher social equality than others, why market-oriented reforms in education have spread unevenly across Europe and the USA, and why some Asian countries score higher in the OECD PISA tests than most of Europe. The major portion of the module is devoted to classic comparative methods: Most Similar Systems Design (MSSD), Most Different Systems Design (MDDS), Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) including process tracing, and related approaches. These methods are contrasted with statistical comparative methods at the macro level and the micro level. The aim of the module is to make you familiar with the basic rules of doing comparative research through these most influential methods and salient topics in the comparative social science of education, and to design your own comparative research strategy involving gathering, assessing, and using evidence.
This is a compulsory module for MA Comparative Education students.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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