Research Methods

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Research Methods

• Introduction to the Unit

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Research Methods

• RESEARCH METHODS
• 10 Credit Point
• M Level
• Dr Keith Jones
• Core Unit for all the MSc Pathways

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Introduction Rationale

• The unit is designed to introduce students to a
  range of research methodologies and techniques of
  data collection and presentation that may be used
  to explore a given research topic.
• It is an essential unit for a student to complete
  in order to write a dissertation.

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Aims

• To introduce a range of research methods and to
  examine their use, advantages and disadvantages.
• To equip students with sufficient expertise to
  adopt and use an appropriate research strategy to
  approach their dissertation.
• To study the techniques necessary for collecting
  presenting, synthesising and analysing data in
  order to test a research hypothesis.

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Learning Outcomes

• To recognise the use, advantages and
  disadvantages of different research methodologies
  as a means of solving a research hypothesis
• Be able to develop a research proposal, suitable
  methodology and programme of work to enable
  initiation of their dissertation.

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Teaching Learning

• Lectures
• Tutorials

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Indicative Content

• Introduction to research
• Background
• Topics for study
• Execution of research
• Hypotheses
• Data collection/analysis
• Reporting
• Results, inferences, conclusions
• Reports and presentations

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Indicative Reading
Bell, J. Doing your Research Project. A Guide
for First-Time Researchers in Education and
Social Science., London, Oxford University
Press (1987) Creswell, J Research Design
Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods
Approaches, Sage, (2003).
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Indicative Reading
Greenfield, T. Research Methods Guidance for
Postgraduates, Arnold (1996) Fellows, R liu,
A Research Methods for Construction 2nd
Edition, Blackwell, (2003).
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Unit Programme
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Time 10.00 11.00 12.00 13.00 14.00 15.00 16.00
19/04/2005 Introduction (M055) Identifying a topic (M055) Brainstorming Lunch Reviewing literature (M055) Potential Sources Aims, Objectives, Hypotheses (M140)
26/04/2005 Student Presentations - Outline Proposal Student Presentations - Outline Proposal Research Methodology (U025) Lunch Research Methodology (U025) Research Methodology (U025) Examples of Previous Projects
17/05/2005 Student Presentations - Draft Proposals Student Presentations - Draft Proposals Data Analysis (M140) Lunch Results, Conclusions (M140) Open Tutorials Open Tutorials
24/05/2005 Final Presentation Assessment Final Presentation Assessment Final Presentation Assessment Lunch Initial meetings with dissertation tutors Initial meetings with dissertation tutors Initial meetings with dissertation tutors
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Tutorials

• Each student will
• be allocated a research methods tutor
• Prof Isaac
• Dr Kaluarachchi
• Dr Coffey
• Ms Fantie
• Mr J Watson
• Dr Jones.
• See handout for your groups.

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Tutorials

• During meetings with the tutor students will be
  able to
• discuss aspects of research
• prepare for submission of your assignment
• review possible dissertation projects.

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Coursework schedule

• The unit is assessed via ONE piece of coursework
• Research proposal.
• See Handout.
• The assignment will be assessed during a private
  meeting between you and your tutor on the MORNING
  of WEDNESDAY 24th MAY.

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Coursework schedule

• Please note late submission of work will be
  penalised and in extreme cases the work may not
  be accepted.
• If you experience any difficulties during the
  unit please let me know.