2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LUBS5285M Introduction to Research Design and Data Analysis

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Professor Bill Gerrard
Email: w.j.gerrard@lubs.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications

All students participating in this module must already have obtained the required qualifications to enter the LUBS PhD programme.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module seeks to provide an overview of research design and various research methods and an understanding of data analysis as required for conducting sound research.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to critically assess:
- the research process including alternative research strategies
- data collection methods
- qualitative data analysis and quantitative data analysis

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:

- select an appropriate research design
- design data collection methods
- conduct field research
- analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data
- write up a basic report

Syllabus

Indicative content:

- Causal inference
- Research design
- Questionnaire design
- Longitudinal vs. cross sectional research
- Operationalising variables
- Data collection
- Coding, data entry, checking; data analysis and presentation
- Descriptive statistics
- Hypotheses testing
- Correlation
- Parametric tests
- Experimental design
- Analysis of variance
- Regression
- Introduction to multivariate analysis
- Reliability and validity
- Factor analysis
- Basic non parametric tests
- Introduction to qualitative research, including ethnography, case study research, discourse analysis, grounded theory, action research, historical/archival research, methods of qualitative data collection, basics of qualitative data analysis
- Mixed methods, comparative research, integration of quantitative and qualitative methods

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	6	3.00	18.00
Private study hours			132.00
Total Contact hours			18.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Since the module covers diverse topics, each lecture hour presumes at least 6 hours of private study in terms of reading the text and papers on the topic, reading journal articles to understand the application of the concepts, and solving problems.

Specific times are as follows:
- Pre-workshop reading and preparation: 50 hours
- Post-workshop reading: 100 hours
- Completion of assessed coursework: 100 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Class tests and assignment. The former focuses on student's understanding of the concepts. The latter focuses on the ability to apply the concepts.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Assignment	3,000 words	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resit to be determined

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 21/07/2014

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