Dissertation

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Analyse and synthesise research findings
• Critically evaluate an appropriate range of relevant primary source materials and arguments reflected in other sources and propose a relevant area of investigation
• Choose and evaluate a feasible independent research design, project plan and structure
• Devise appropriate research methods to undertake a research project
• Acquire appropriate Ethical and Research Governance approvals
• Make your own contribution to educational understanding by presenting a coherent, detailed and sustained argument at length on an educational topic;
• Develop your own ideas and organise a project independently but with supportive guidance
• Develop advanced practical and analytical skills in a range of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods as an academic researcher and writer on educational and social matters
• Refine and practice a range of skills which would be useful to you in further study or a professional/work based context
• Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of your chosen dissertation project, its potential impact on practice and the range of relevant scholarly literature and source materials
• Know the research process and understand methods of data collection and analysis and apply them in a self-reliant manner
• Devise appropriate research questions
• Demonstrate an understanding of data collection and analysis methods
• Understand the approaches by which research and critical awareness of debates in education can be utilised to construct a scholarly argument
• Produce and present a carefully argued dissertation

In studying this module you will cover aspects of the following:

• Strategies for focusing and managing the research process.
• Quantitative and qualitative methodologies and approaches to research.
• Key data collection methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation).
• Methods for analysing and interpreting data.
• Dissertation writing and presentation skills

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching and learning methods will include lectures and workshops, discussions and self- directed study and individual tutorials

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Creswell, J. (2002). Research Design: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches .. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Kvale, S. (2008). Interviews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing. London: Sage.

Guba, E., & Lincoln, Y. (1998). Competing paradigms in Qualitative research . In Denzin, N. & Lincoln, Y. (eds). The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and Issues. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Muijs, D. (2004/8). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. London: Sage.

McNiff, J., & Whitehead, J. (2002). Action Research: Principles and Practice. London: Routledge.

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

Fink, A. (2009). How to conduct Surveys: A Step by Step Guide. London: Sage.

Fink, A. (1998). Conducting Research Literature Reviews. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Rubin, I., & Rubin, H. (2005). Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data. London: Sage.

Bell, J. (2005). Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

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

Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content Analysis: An Introduction to its Methodology .. London: Sage.

Neuendorf, K. (2002). The Content Analysis Guidebook. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Hopkins, D. (2002). A Teacher's Guide to Classroom Research.. Buckingham: Open University.

Oppenheim, A. (2000). Questionnaire Design. London, UK: Continuum.

Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. California: 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