Staff Profiles

Researching the 'Real' World: Positivism

Advanced Research Methods

Research2: Methods

Chaos Theory

Mind and Brain

Research Methods in Childhood and Education

Dissertation

Developing Reflective and Critical Practice

Research Informed Practice

Module Leader:

Research2: Methods

Research Methods in Education

Dissertation

Mind and Brain

The Reflective Learner

Modules taught

Advanced Research Methods in Education (EdD)

Contemporary Issues in Education (PGCE Secondary)

Physics and Mathematics (PGCE Physics with Maths)

Subject studies (PGCE Secondary Science)

 

 

Supervision

Academic supervisor for BA, MA, EdD and PhD research students

International student academic advisor

Research interests: research methods in education, physics and leadership, meta-cognition, learning and teaching strategies, science education, creativity, assessment in HE, statistics with R

Research group membership

Nicoleta is a member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP), Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), BERA full Member

Books

• Gaciu N, Understanding Quantitative Data in Educational Research, SAGE (2020)
  ISBN: 9781473982147 eISBN: 9781529743913
  Abstract

  This book is designed to help Education students gain confidence in analysing and interpreting quantitative data and using appropriate statistical tests, by exploring, in plain language, a variety of data analysis methods.

  Highly practical, each chapter includes step-by-step instructions on how to run specific statistical tests using R, practical tips on how to interpret results correctly and exercises to put into practice what students have learned.

  It also includes guidance on how to use R and RStudio, how to visualise quantitative data, and the fundamentals of inferential statistics, estimations and hypothesis testing. -- Provided by publisher.

  Website 
• Keller G, Gaciu N, Statistics for Management and Economics, 2nd Edition, Cengage (2020)
  ISBN: 9781473768260
  Abstract

  The established text Statistics for Management and Economics delivers an accessible and comprehensive overview for business students across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With a wealth of examples and real data, this statistics textbook is essential reading for all business, management and economics courses at undergraduate and MBA level. Keller's practical three-step approach to problem-solving demonstrates how statistics are vital for today's managers and economists: it teaches students how to identify the correct technique for a problem or data type, compute the statistics and how to interpret the results meaningfully, equipping them with the practical skills they need in a world of big data, data visualization and social media. -- Provided by publisher.
  

  Website 
• Keller G, Gaciu N, Statistics for Management and Economics, Cengage Learning EMEA (2019)
  ISBN: 9781473768260
  
• Gaciu N, Keller G, Managerial Statistics, Cengage Learning EMA (2015)
  ISBN: 978-1-4737-0480-0
  Abstract

  Managerial Statistics by Gerald Keller is an established and worldwide bestselling business statistics text. Packed with examples and real data, UK-based author Nicoleta Gaciu joins Gerald Keller in this new edition to present a comprehensive, application-driven text developed and tailored especially for courses across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Through Keller’s unique three-step approach to problem solving, students learn to identify the correct statistical technique, compute the statistics, and ultimately interpret results in the context of the problem.

  Website 
• Gaciu N, Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Bio and Optoelectronic Systems: Control and analysis of molecular motors and semiconductor laser dynamics, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing (2010)
  ISBN: 3838331648
  

Journal articles

• Gaciu N, Dalzell L, Davis J, Diamond A, Howard S, 'Trainee Teachers’ Reflections on Approaches to Enhance their Subject Knowledge in Physics and Mathematics'
  Teacher Education Advancement Network Journal 9 (1) (2017) pp.36-44
  ISSN: 2054-5266
  Abstract Subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) is considered an essential part of initial teacher training (ITT) for secondary school roles. The article gives an insight into trainee teachers’ different experiences and approaches they used to expand and acquire Physics and Mathematics subject knowledge, alongside other forms of knowledge. The unique feature of this article is that is written by four students in collaboration with their academic advisor. The trainee teachers joined the Physics with Maths Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) secondary course from varied backgrounds, with differing strengths. Therefore, they have enhanced their subject knowledge in different ways. Their reflections show how their subject knowledge has been synthesized from a range of previous experiences, subsequently developed in practice throughout the course, and how they develop their subject knowledge to the required level to begin their teaching careers in a confident manner.
• Gaciu N, 'Mapping Metacognition, Lesson Planning and Reflection for Teaching and Learning'
  International Journal for 21st Century Education 2 (1) (2015) pp.61-68
  ISSN: 2444-3921
  Abstract

  The aim of the paper is to provide a useable framework for mapping lesson planning, reflection and metacognition with the process of teaching and learning. The outcome of this process takes the form of aplanning, monitoring and reflection (PRM) map that can help trainee teachers to make a systematic evaluation of their teaching and to reflect on the instructional process as constructively as possible. The intention for using the PRM map is to stimulate trainee teachers’ reflection to evaluate selected aspects of the four main domains of learning: cognitive, affective, psychomotor and metacognitive. The whole process will promote reflective thinking and will help trainee teachers to create a rich source of ideas to turn to when making decisions about the cognitive and metacognitive strategies they and their students might use for the task.

  Website 
• Crisan V, Popescu V, Vernes V, Andreica D, Cristea S, Gaciu N and Graur M, 'Band Effects in Magnetostrictive Properties of the Y2Fe17 Compound'
  physica status solidi (b) (1995)
  ISSN: 0370-1972
  Website 

Book chapters

• McGregor D, Gaciu N, 'Creativity in teaching science' in ASE Guide to Secondary Science Education, The Association for Science Education (2018)
  ISBN: 9780863574580
  
• Gaciu N, Gehrig E and Hess O, 'Control of Broad-Area Laser Dynamics with Delayed Optical Feedback' in Handbook of Chaos Control, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA (2007)
  ISBN: 9783527406050
  Website 

Conference papers

• Gaciu N, Gehrig E and Hess O, 'High-speed modulation dynamics of twin-stripe lasers'
  (2004)
  Website 
• Gehrig E, Gaciu N, Pessa M and Hess O, 'High-frequency modulation of twin-stripe semiconductor lasers'
  (2003)
  Website 

Other publications

• Serway R, Jewett J, Wilson K, Wilson A, Rowlands W, 'Case study author'
  (2017) ISBN: 9780170355513
  

Membership of professional bodies

Reviewer for  the International Journal of Social Research Methodology

Reviewer for the British Educational Research Journal

Convenor for BERA Science Education Special Interest Group

Conferences

Gaciu, N. (2018) Using Online Software to Enhance Feedback, Interactivity and Greater Student Participation, the 20th Annual International Conference on Education and the 14th Annual International Conference on Information Technology & Computer Science, Athens Institute for Education and Research, Greece

Gaciu, N. (2018) Using Lino and Padlet to enhance feedback and student engagement, Higher Education Annual Conference – Teaching in the Spotlight, 3 July 2018, Birmingham

Gaciu, N. (2017) Oral examinations during the course of doctoral studies - developing more reliable and valid assessment techniques, BERA Conference, Brighton 5-7 September 2017

Gaciu, N. and Aldridge, D. (2016) A Genealogy of Dualistic Ideas in Research Methods Textbooks, BERA Conference, Leeds 12-15 September

Gaciu, N. (2015) Mapping metacognition, lesson planning and reflection for teaching and learning, International Conference ‘Education and Development Cooperation’, University of Cordoba, Spain

Gaciu, N. (2013) Exploring metacognitive strategies through MetaCS maps, Oxford Education Research Symposium, University Church of St Mary, Oxford

Gaciu, N. (2012) Enhancing the trainee teachers’ learning and teaching Physics through metacognitive strategies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore,  Milano

Gaciu, N. (2012) On the same wavelength: Physics and Leadership, School of Education, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford

Gaciu, N. (2007) Invited talk: Physics and Leadership, International Leadership Conference, Ashridge

Gaciu,N.,  Gehrig,E. and  Hess, O. (2003)  High-speed modulation properties of segmented contact semiconductor lasers, Deutschen Physikalishen Gesellschaft, Dresden, Germany

Crisan,V., Popescu, V., Vernes, A., Andreica, D., Cristea, S., Buda, I. and Gaciu, N. (1994) Electronic States in Y2Fe17Cx, Poster Session, Conference on Balkan Physical Union, Izmir,Turkey

Gaciu, N. (2000) Information Technology in teaching and learning 10th National Symposium, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

Further information

Academic qualifications

PhD in Physics (University of Surrey)

Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education  (PCTHE) (Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development)

MPhil in Physics (University of Surrey)

MSc in Physics (University of Stuttgart)

BSc in Physics (Babes-Bolyai University)

Erasmus

Between 2012 and 2014 I was actively involved with my colleagues from Bordeaux University, Universidad de Córdoba, University de Nantes, and Pädagogische Hochschule Salzburg in the Erasmus programme TTIMS (Teacher Training in Multicultural Settings)