Module overview
The aims of the module are to:
- Raise awareness of a variety of research designs for educational research
- Further develop your knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods; data collection and analysis; and, correctly reporting research findings
- Develop your own research proposal from initial research question to research design, data collection and data analysis and methods
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Critically reflect on your skills, practices and knowledge
- Critically evaluate published research
- Report and effectively communicate the results of research
- Recognise the need to manage time and resources
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of data collection methods and analysis
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research design for education and psychology
- Design appropriate research tools for collecting empirical data from educational contexts
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Design research tools and select appropriate data analysis methods for qualitative or quantitative empirical data
- Report educational research findings in an appropriate format
- Use appropriate statistical analysis software
- Develop a research proposal from initial research question to research design, data collection and data analysis and methods
Syllabus
Topics normally covered in this module will include:
- An introduction to designing a good research question for research;
- Critically evaluate published research;
- Various research designs in qualitative and quantitative approaches;
- Data collection methods in qualitative and quantitative approaches;
- Analysing qualitative data using appropriate methods (e.g., thematic analysis);
- Analysing quantitative data using appropriate methods (e.g., descriptive and inferential statistics);
Reporting data analysis ;Design a research proposal
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
This module include 3-hours session for 24 weeks which are run as workshops, practicals, and plenaries as appropriate. The sessions will include peer feedback and assessment opportunities, and whole group interactive learning. Where useful, technology will be used to support the session.
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Revision | 24 |
Completion of assessment task | 48 |
Wider reading or practice | 24 |
Teaching | 72 |
Follow-up work | 48 |
Preparation for scheduled sessions | 84 |
Total study time | 300 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Devices for statistical sessions. Devices for statistical sessions - students will need to work on their own devices during stats sessions. Download SPSS before sessions, UoS license.
Online videos and resources will be made available..
SPSS Software. SPSS, available via http://software.soton.ac.uk
Textbooks
Sharp, J (2009). Success with your Education Research Project.. Exeter: Learning Matters.
Denscombe, M (2014). The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects. Maidenhead UK: McGraw-Hill Education.
Lichtman, M (2010). Qualitative Research in Education: a User's Guide.. London: Sage.
Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. London: Sage.
Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. London: Routledge.
Punch, K (2009). Introduction to Research Methods in Education. London: Sage.
Muijs, D (2004). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. London: Sage.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Research proposal
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback:
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Quantitative practical write-up | 20% |
Qualitative data collection and analysis exercise | 20% |
Reflective log | 20% |
Research proposal | 40% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Qualitative data collection and analysis exercise | 20% |
Quantitative practical write-up | 20% |
Research proposal | 40% |
Reflective log | 20% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Research proposal | 40% |
Quantitative practical write-up | 20% |
Reflective log | 20% |
Qualitative data collection and analysis exercise | 20% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External