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2014/15 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

EDUC2003 Using and Doing Research

20 creditsClass Size: 80

Module manager: Mary Chambers
Email: M.E.Chambers@education.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2014/15

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Starting from basic principles, the module gives a well-rounded, user-friendly introduction to the main methods used in research, and it will teach you basic skills for conducting research. You will learn how to examine critically other people's research, and also how to create and explore a research question of your own and try out an appropriate method to answer it. Within this, there will be a strong emphasis on the growing use of ICT as a research tool as a means to search for secondary data or to analyse data. You will also be introduced to research ethics. The module is invaluable and stimulating, and will provide a firm foundation from which to develop research skills and knowledge.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- demonstrate a critical understanding of the different types of research strategies and methods that can be used in educational and social science research;
- demonstrate a critical understanding of the different methodological perspectives that are used in educational research and the implications of this for knowledge claims e.g. notions of transferability, trustworthiness;
- use ICT to 1) interrogate electronic data sources, 2) analyse data and 3) present data and findings;
- understand the role of the researcher in terms of ethics, reactivity;
- understand the purpose of triangulation within research;
- select and develop research tools which are commensurate with research questions;
- collect, analyse and synthesise data into a coherent report format;
- present orally their findings on designing and applying a variety of research methods.

Syllabus

The intention of this module is to introduce students to both the theoretical and applied aspects of educational and social research. This will involve a detailed introduction to the different methodologies, research strategies and methods that are currently used. Within this there will be a strong emphasis on the growing use of ICT as a research tool either as means to search for secondary data or analyse primary data sets.

As an integral part of the module, students, in negotiation with the tutors responsible for this module will select, design and apply a range of research methods. This will be done within the context of students identifying a research issue or question and then exploring it using the methods they have chosen.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	2.00	22.00
Practical	6	1.00	6.00
Tutorial	3	1.00	3.00
Private study hours			169.00
Total Contact hours			31.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Reading in preparation for lectures: 22 hours
Practicing IT skills: 11 hours
Reading for and writing assignment: 68 hours
Data collection for micro-study: 30 hours
Analysing data and writing up micro-study: 38 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Tutorials and practical classes.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	2,000 words	50.00
Report	2,000 words	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 06/05/2015

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