Module overview
The dissertation builds on work undertaken across other modules and provides you with an opportunity to undertake a piece of independent research in a chosen topic. Normally, your dissertation will be individually supervised.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Acquire appropriate Ethical and Research Governance approvals, where appropriate.
- Develop your own ideas and organise a project independently but with supportive guidance
- Understand the approaches by which research and critical awareness of debates in education can be utilised to construct a scholarly argument.
- Know the research process and understand methods of data collection and analysis and apply them in a self-reliant manner
- Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of your chosen dissertation project and its potential impact on practice.
- Devise appropriate research questions relevant to your research topic.
- Choose a feasible research design, project plan and structure
- Critically evaluate an appropriate range of relevant primary source materials and arguments .
Syllabus
In studying this module you will cover aspects of the following:
- Strategies for focusing and managing the research process.
- Quantitative and qualitative methodologies and approaches to research.
- Key data collection methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation).
- Methods for analysing and interpreting data.
- Dissertation writing and presentation skills
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The dissertation builds on work undertaken across other taught modules and provides you with an opportunity to undertake an independent project in a chosen topic. Students are expected to manage their project independently with academic guidance and support by their supervisor. Supervisory support is provided via tutorials and/or electronic feedback and communication, as appropriate.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 600 |
| Total study time | 600 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Bell, J (2014). Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education.
How to conduct Surveys: A Step by Step Guide. London: Sage.
Yin, R (2003). Applications of case study research. Sage: London.
(2014). Conducting Research Literature Reviews. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. London: Routledge.
Robson, C (2002). Real World Research. Oxford: Blackwell.
Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. London: Sage.
Creswell, J. (2014). Educational research: planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research.. Harlow: Pearson Education.
Introduction to Research methods in Education. London: Sage.
Competing paradigms in Qualitative research . In Denzin, N. & Lincoln, Y. (eds). The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and Issues. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Qualitative Research in Education- A User's Guide. London: Sage.
Content Analysis: An Introduction to its Methodology .. London: Sage.
Newby, P (2010). Research Methods for Education. Edinburgh: Pearson Education Ltd..
Thomas, G (2013). How to do your research project: a guide for students in education and applied social sciences. London: Sage.
Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches .. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
A Teacher's Guide to Classroom Research.. Buckingham: Open University.
Interviews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing. London: Sage.
Action Research: Principles and Practice. London: Routledge.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External