2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

EDUC5044M Research Skills in Education

30 creditsClass Size: 120

Module manager: Dr Michael Waring
Email: M.J.Waring@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module is essential for understanding how to start and conduct an empirical research project. The module gives students the knowledge and skills required for reviewing the literature, identifying a topic, formulating research questions, designing, and conducting empirical research.

Objectives

To give students the knowledge and skills needed to carry out a search of the literature on a chosen topic and an understanding of how to carry out small scale empirical research.

Learning outcomes
The module is designed to enable students develop critical understanding and inquiry-based skills in different aspects of educational research. At the end of the module, students will be expected to achieve the following outcomes:
1. Understanding educational research
2. Learning to review the literature critically and to synthesise findings systematically
3. Developing the ability to formulate specific research questions
4. Learning to design empirical research
5. Developing the ability to use qualitative and quantitative methods (incl. mixed methods research)
6. Learning to collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data
7. Developing an awareness of quality in research
8. Understanding and observing ethical considerations in research

Skills outcomes
The module will enable students to conduct small scale research projects in Education.

Syllabus

Understanding educational research
Engaging with literature/literature review
Formulating research questions
Social science research traditions and approaches
• Ethnography
• Positive research
• Case study
• Exploratory action research
Introduction to quantitative research
• types of quantitative research methods
• methods of data collection
• methods of data analysis and interpretation
Introduction to qualitative research
• research paradigms and methodological frameworks in qualitative research
• types of qualitative research methods
o document analysis, interviewing, observing
• methods of data analysis and interpretation
Mixed methods research
• triangulation
Quality and ethics in research
• Issues of reliability, validity, rigour and trustworthiness
• Ethical procedures
Planning your dissertation
• Identifying research interests
• Writing a research proposal
• Organising your dissertation

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			267.00
Total Contact hours			33.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will be offered the opportunity to submit and/or present a poster demonstrating their understanding of the main concepts discussed in the module. Feedback will be provided on the poster and presentation which can then be taken on board for conducting the main assignment for the module.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	5000 words or equivalent	100.00
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: 28/09/2023

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD