Research Methods in Education and Psychology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Design appropriate research instruments for collecting primary data from education and psychology contexts
• Use a range of research instruments and designs to collect data
• Critically evaluate and interpret information
• Know how to design an original research project
• Work collaboratively in a group environment and be able to report and effectively communicate the results of investigations
• Carry out a range of qualitative and quantitative data analyses
• Manage educational and psychological research projects
• Design, analyse, and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and evidence
• Report education and psychology research findings in an appropriate format
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research design for education and psychology
• Design research instruments and select appropriate data analysis techniques for qualitative and quantitative educational data
• Recognise the need to manage time and personnel
• Evaluate ethical issues in education and psychology research
• Actively investigate issues and collect evidence to assess their validity
• Design your own piece of research, from initial research question to research design and data collection
• Use appropriate statistical and other research software to analyse data

Topics normally covered in this module will include:

• An introduction to designing a good research question for a dissertation project;
• Research design, including experimental, survey designs, not limited to issues like design setup and sampling;
• Collecting data in practical work using a range of research designs and methods (e.g. laboratory experiments, observation, interview, focus groups and questionnaires) as research methods;
• Analysing qualitative (educational and psychological) data, for example ‘codes and themes’ and grounded theory;
• Analysing quantitative (educational and psychological) data with SPSS (or other statistical software): this builds on Part 1 with two-group designs, ANOVA, basic regression;
• Reporting data analysis results;
• Structuring a research project.

Teaching and learning methods

A mix of lectures and seminars normally in two-hour sessions supported by directed reading and additional practical research activities. The sessions will include peer feedback and assessment opportunities, and whole group interactive teaching. Where useful, technology will be used to support the session (e.g. use of statistical software, questionnaire software, etc.). In addition, sessions will generally be supported by tutorials for additional questions, stretch targets and support.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Online videos and resources will be made available..

SPSS Software. SPSS, available via http://software.soton.ac.uk

Textbooks

Lichtman, M (2010). Qualitative Research in Education: a User's Guide.. London: Sage.

Sharp, J (2009). Success with your Education Research Project.. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Denscombe, M (2014). The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects. Maidenhead UK: McGraw-Hill Education.

Punch, K (2009). Introduction to Research Methods in Education. London: Sage.

Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. London: Routledge.

Field, A. (2013). Discovering Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. London: Sage.

Muijs, D (2004). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. London: Sage.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External