Introductory description

This module aims to develop understanding of the research process and its relevance to your professional practice, including designing and carrying out research into your own practice field. This includes identifying research questions and appropriate research strategies and gathering and analysing sources using a variety of methods. It will enable you to carry out research into an aspect of career development or coaching practice of interest and relevance to you.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Consideration of participants’ prior research experience and contexts.
Developing initial ideas and rationale.
Comparing and contrasting examples of research relevant to field / subject.
Conducting a critical and evaluative literature review.
Constructing research questions.
Developing epistemological and ontological stance.
Designing a research strategy and identifying sources.
Considering ethics and values in relation to research.
Considering reflexivity and positionality.
Designing a dissemination plan.
Evaluating the research process.
Use of the above to negotiate and design a small-scale research project.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Creatively integrate and apply the knowledge listed above in the negotiation and design of a small-scale research project
• Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relevant to research including context, literature review, epistemology, ontology, research questions, research strategy, sources, evaluative framework, ethics, reflexivity, positionality, and dissemination
• Critically evaluate and interpret appropriately selected literature and sources.
• Present material in clear written form by identifying, analysing and applying key texts and practices using appropriate style, structure, spelling, grammar, syntax, length, and referencing.

Indicative reading list

Costley, C., Elliot, G. and Gibbs, P. (2010). Doing Work-based Research: Approaches to Enquiry for Insider-Researchers. London: Sage.
Denscombe, M. (2014). The Good Research Guide: for Small-scale Social Research Projects (5th edn.). Maidenhead: Open University Press.
Hammond, M. & Wellington, J. (2013). Research Methods: the Key Concepts. Abingdon: Routledge.
Leavy, P. (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Ransome, P. (2013). Ethics and Values in Social Research. Palgrave Macmillan: London

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Preparation of a dissertation proposal.

Subject specific skills

Demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of a range of topics relevant to research including context, literature review, epistemology, ontology, research questions, research strategy, sources, evaluative framework, ethics, reflexivity, positionality, and dissemination.
Critically evaluate and interpret appropriately selected literature and sources.
Creatively integrate and apply the knowledge listed above in the negotiation and design of a small-scale research project.

Transferable skills

Present material in clear written form by identifying, analysing and applying key texts and practices using appropriate style, structure, spelling, grammar, syntax, length, and referencing.