EQ950-30 Research Methods in Education (online)

Department: Education Studies
Level: Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader: Dimitra Hartas
Credit value: 30
Module duration: 12 weeks
Assessment: 100% coursework
Study location: Distance or Online Delivery

Introductory description

This module encourages students in understanding, designing and implementing research in the field of education. It will introduce you to a range of established research strategies and techniques, including data collection and analysis. These skills will enable you to design and carry out a dissertation research project, as well as to disseminate its findings. As part of this module you will present your research design and have the opportunity to receive feedback ahead of completing your dissertation.

Module web page

Module aims

To introduce students to various, sometimes competing theories and paradigms in educational research
Understand different types of research designs (eg, case studies, experimental designs, survey research)
Understand the pros and cons of using different methods for data collection (eg, interviews, questionnaires)
Consider and engage with the ethical issues as they arise during the conduct of research
Understand the use of different methods of data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative
Develop capacity for reflection on issues of generalisability and validity in educational research
Develop a research proposal
Prepare students for progression to a dissertation

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.

Introduction to research methods in education
Research designs in research in education (eg, case studies, action research , survey research,
quasi experimental designs)
Quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection and analysis (eg, thematic analysis,
descriptive and inferential statistical analyses)
Ethics in research in education
Issues regarding reliability, validity and generalisability in research in education
Developing a research proposal

Learning outcomes

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

a) Understand competing paradigms and methodologies in educational research. Examine quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as mixed method designs
b) Identify theoretical and methodological grounds on which education research is based. Analyse the relationship between research questions, research design and methods for data collection.
c) Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of educational research from different perspectives and methodologies. Develop a research proposal on a topic in education
d) Gain familiarity with different research practices in relation to various empirical investigations within educational settings; developing a research proposal and a plan upon which to build the Masters dissertation

Indicative reading list

Cohen, L., Manion, L., and Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education (7' Edition). London: Routledge/ Falmer.
Hartas, D et al (2010). Educational Research and Inquiry. Qualitative and Quantitative
Approaches. London: Bloomsbury
Muijs, D. (2004). Doing Quantitative Research. London: Sage.

Subject specific skills

examine, evaluate and deploy the findings of empirical and theoretical studies related to the chosen education-related topic and research questions
reflect upon the ethics of researching a particular education-related topic
generate and explore research questions relating to the chosen topic
create a proposal for undertaking empirical studies ethically involving a variety of methods of data collection
demonstrate an understanding of how to analyse data acquired using a variety of data collection methods

Transferable skills

Analysis and decision making
Application of numeracy
Communication skills
Critical thinking
Data handling
Emotional intelligence
Intellectual ability
Judgement and decision making
Negotiation
Planning and organisational skills
Problem solving
Reasoning
Using IT effectively

Study time

Type	Required
Tutorials	(0%)
Online learning (independent)	12 sessions of 3 hours (12%)
Private study	139 hours (46%)
Assessment	125 hours (42%)
Total	300 hours

Private study description

Independent study hours include background reading, completing reading/other tasks in preparation for timetabled teaching sessions, undertaking research using the library resources, follow-up reading work, working on individual and group projects, the completion of formative and summative assignments, revision.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A1

	Weighting	Study time	Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
Research Proposal	50%	70 hours	Yes (extension)
A 3,000-word research proposal. especially practical aspects of the proposal more generally. Unlike the research proposal, the reflective piece is expected to have a subjective orientation. Students are expected to initially submit their research topic, research questions and rationale (upload them to the Forum) to receive formative feedback from their tutor. This is important to enable them to develop a research proposal (3000 words) as a summative assessment.
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
Reflection Piece	50%	55 hours	Yes (extension)
A 2,000-word reflection piece. consider theoretical and especially practical aspects of the proposal more generally. Unlike the research proposal, the reflective piece is expected to have a subjective orientation.
Reassessment component is the same

Feedback on assessment

Written feedback for both formative and summative pieces of work, posted at Forum, sent via emails. Assignment feedback through Tabula.

Post-requisite modules

If you pass this module, you can take:

EQ943-60 Dissertation

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

Year 1 of TIEA-X30F Postgraduate Taught Childhood in Society
Year 1 of TIEA-X30C Postgraduate Taught Drama and Theatre Education
Year 1 of TEQA-X35R Postgraduate Taught Education (Part-time - 2 year)
Year 1 of TIEA-X31L Postgraduate Taught Educational Innovation
TIEA-X31M Postgraduate Taught Educational Leadership and Management
- Year 1 of X3M2 Educational Leadership and Management by Professional Route
- Year 2 of X3M2 Educational Leadership and Management by Professional Route
Year 1 of TEQS-X3AN Postgraduate Taught Global Education and International Development
TEQA-C8X4 Postgraduate Taught Psychology and Education
- Year 1 of C8X4 Psychology and Education
- Year 2 of C8X4 Psychology and Education
Year 2 of TEQA-X3V9 Postgraduate Taught in Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (Part-time - 2 years)
TEQA-X3V5 Postgraduate Taught in Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (Part-time - 3 years)
- Year 1 of X3V5 Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (Part-time - 3 years)
- Year 2 of X3V5 Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (Part-time - 3 years)

This module is Core option list A for:

Year 1 of TEQA-X35R Postgraduate Taught Education (Part-time - 2 year)
Year 1 of TEQA-X3V9 Postgraduate Taught in Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (Part-time - 2 years)

This module is Option list A for:

Year 3 of TEQA-X3V5 Postgraduate Taught in Islamic Education: Theory and Practice (Part-time - 3 years)