Module overview
This is your final module and the largest that you will complete during your MSc studies. In this module you will undertake, with guidance from an academic supervisor, a small-scale research project in an area of your interest.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Choose and evaluate a feasible independent research design, project plan and structure.
- Make your own contribution to educational understanding by presenting a coherent, detailed and sustained argument at length on an educational topic.
- 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.
- Demonstrate a considered application of data collection and analysis methods.
- Present in a detailed report, the findings of a small scale research project.
- Demonstrate your critical understanding of institutional ethical and governance procedures relating to research.
Syllabus
In undertaking 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
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
The dissertation is an independent study. You will be allocated an academic advisor to support you through the module. However the majority of the module will be undertaken independently.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Completion of assessment task | 594 |
| Placement | |
| Tutorial | 6 |
| Total study time | 600 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Muijs, D. (2010). Doing quantitative research in education with SPSS. (Core Textbook). London, UK: Sage.
Punch, K. & Oancea, A. (2014). Introduction to research methods in education. (Core Textbook). London, UK: Sage.
Thomas, G. (2013). How to do your research project: A guide for students in education and applied social sciences. (Core Textbook). London, UK: Sage.
Atkins, L., & Wallace, S. (2012). Qualitative research in education. (Core Textbook). London, UK: Sage.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Diligence and Initiative | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Revised Dissertation | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External