EDU8095 : Research Strategies and Methods
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Dr Pamela Woolner
- Lecturer: Ms Karen Laing, Professor Liz Todd, Dr Maria Mroz
- Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To further develop student knowledge and appreciation of the complexities and skills required to critically evaluate, interpret, and successfully undertake research. To provide a deeper understanding of, and the facility to, actively use varied research designs and methods. This module explores the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative methods and explores the basic design principles of instruments that address particular research problems or questions. The module also enables students to apply these basic design principles and concepts to a potential or actual proposal for their thesis/dissertation.
Outline Of Syllabus
• Surveys and sampling
• Questionnaires
• Interviews
• Ethnography & Experiments
• Observation
• What is research?
• Methodology: design, strategy and methods Validity, reliability and replication Case study
strategy Interviews and Focus Group Survey and questionnaires Ethnography and observation
• Using these methods in practice
• Quantitative data
• Qualitative data
• Evaluating research
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 8 | 4:30 | 36:00 | Before and between timetabled sessions |
Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | N/A |
Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 6 | 3:00 | 18:00 | To source articles for critique (Assignment Part 1) |
Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 8 | 2:15 | 18:00 | Before and between timetabled sessions |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Present in person - timetabled |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Synchronous online - timetabled |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 3 | 1:30 | 4:30 | Present in person - timetabled |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Synchronous online - timetabled |
Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 5 | 2:30 | 12:30 | Preparing group presentation |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Offered in Week 9 or buffer week. Present in person – timetabled |
Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 9 | 7:30 | 67:30 | N/A |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Offered in Week 9 or buffer week. Synchronous online contact time |
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | Present in person - timetabled |
Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
This module is taught using 2 hour interactive sessions, supported by directed learning in the students’ own time. The synchronous session involves lecturer talk interspersed with various learning activities. The learning activities for this module will include: critical reading of research, group discussion, research design, computer-aided and other data analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, research planning and ethics. Implicit in the design of each session, is an attempt to engender a deep and active approach to learning, but also to develop both subject knowledge and key skills. The lecture replacement material, along with the directed tasks, enable assignment work to be planned and developed.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
---|---|---|---|---|
Research proposal | 1 | M | 100 | 4,000 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Assignment One consists of two parts
Part One:
To write a critique of two research articles of the student's choice; to include reflection on possible relevance of said articles for student's own research.
Part Two:
To write a research proposal, upon which the dissertation can be based.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EDU8095's Timetable