Course Topics
The module introduces the theoretical-methodological foundations of research methodology, with a focus on research for schools and teacher training, as well as scientific writing, with the intention of promoting, starting with descriptive writing, the skills necessary for reflective writing.

Teaching format
Dialogue lectures, analysis of research publications and simulated design of different research moments, academic writing activities.

Educational objectives
Students should be able to - Acquire the theoretical-methodological foundations of research in education, with particular reference to pre-school and primary school. - Learn to make use of both descriptive and reflective writing to support research, the reporting of educational visits and field experiences, the initiation of the drafting of the student's portfolio (understood as a tool for description-reflection on the experience) but also as a support for the progressive declination of a professional development plan. Disciplinary skills Knowledge and understanding - of the key concepts in educational research; - of theories and practices relating to research in education; - of the textual structures of the Italian language, with particular reference to the scientific domain. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding - expressed through activities and problem-situations in which the application of theories, methodologies, techniques and tools of educational research is required; - expressed through the application of text structures to the understanding, evaluation and writing of written texts, with particular reference to academic writing. Transversal/soft skills Autonomy of judgement expressed through: - capacity for reflection, discussion, in-depth study and personal reworking on the emerging themes of the course; - critical ability, coherence, methodological rigour, precision and accuracy in both oral and written expression; - ability to listen to and understand different points of view in the scientific field, across the disciplines covered during the degree course. Communication skills expressed through: - ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in professional and academic contexts in both oral and written expression; - ability to communicate in a group and to support one's own ideas; - active listening. Learning ability expressed through: - ability to reflect on one's own performance and related self-evaluation; - ability to deal critically and consciously with scientific texts from any discipline, both on the receptive side (reading) and the productive side (writing); - ability to analyse and identify the development needs of one's own knowledge. The skills and abilities described will be assessed both in itinere (through individual and group activities) and in the final examination.

Assessment
There will be ongoing written tests, the outcome of which will be discussed in a short oral discussion on the day of the examination. The modalities of the intermediate written tests will be explained by the lecturer(s) at the beginning of the course.

Evaluation criteria
A single final mark will be awarded for the module. In the case of a negative mark for the entire module, any partial examinations successfully passed will be counted as having been passed in the next attempt to sit the entire module examination. It should be noted that, even in this case, a negative mark for the entire module will be counted towards the number of attempts available to take an examination. According to the Examinations Regulations, if a student fails an examination in three consecutive attempts, he/she may not register for the same examination in the three sessions following the last attempt (Art. 6, para. 4 of the current Regulations for Proficiency Examinations). Specifically, for the written tests, the following are considered and assessed: relevance, logical structure, clarity of argument, lexical appropriateness and completeness. In relation to the oral test, the following will be considered and assessed: relevance, clarity of argumentation, capacity for critical analysis, ability to rework and reflect on the experience gained during the course or apprenticeship or even in the professional field, demonstrating the ability to transpose theory into practice and to read theory in practice.