Supachai Chuenjitwongsa (Cardiff University) talks about his experiences of teaching and assessing research methods during his time as a lecturer in Thailand. This presentation was part of the HEA-funded project “Innovation in the Assessment of Social Science Research Methods in UK HEIs”. The project was led by Luke Sloan, Cardiff University.

1. Supachai Chuenjitwongsa
Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Teaching
Social Sciences
Research Methods (SSRM)
in a Thai University

2. Overview
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
• UG curriculum in Thailand
• Ideal Graduates III course
• Teaching and Learning
• Assessment
• Feedback

3. UG Curriculum in Thailand
1/4 of the
curriculum
Students from different
schools
Life skills / General
knowledge
SSRM
General Education
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Professional
Education
3/4 or 5/6 of the
curriculum
Professional
competences
Students from the same
school

4. Ideal Graduates III Course
Ideal Graduates III
Students (n=30)
 Engineering
 Sciences
 Dentistry
 Journalism
 Politics
 Business
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
General Education
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Ethics

5. Course Content
1. Interdisciplinary Concept
2. Critical Thinking
3. Creative Thinking
4. Research Project
5. Lifelong Learning
6. Interpersonal skills
7. Ethics
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
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

6. Teaching and Learning (15 weeks)
• 60% Project Work
Interview Project
Small-scale Research
• 30% Classroom-based
Small Group
Lecture
• 10% Field Work
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

7. 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)?
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

11. 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
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

12. Assessment
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Miller’s Pyramid

13. Setting Assessment Methods
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
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

14. Assessment Rubric
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Score Understand of
the problem
Understand of
principles /
methods
Result /
Interpretation
Communication
skills
5
4
3
2
1

15. 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
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

17. 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
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

18. 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)
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

19. 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
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd

20. Input OutputOutcome
Support
From AMEE Guide No. 14 Part 1

21. Thank you
for your attention
Diolch am eich sylw
Supachai Chuenjitwongsa, Ysgol Ddeintyddiaeth, Prifysgol Caerdydd
Acknowledgement
Thank you to my TA: Dr.Ravee Sajjasophon