EDM201-Analysing Research Data in Education

Module Provider: Institute of Education
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: EDM007 with a pass of at least 50%
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Anthony Zhang
Email: anthony.zhang@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr David Dobraszczyk
Email: d.dobraszczyk@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Building on the work of EDM007 Investigating Education which is concerned with research design, ethics and methodologies; this module focuses on techniques of analysing research data in education. Students will develop an understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research in Education, appraising data analysis techniques used in different research designs, and explore using a range of data collection techniques. They will investigate ways that research evidence is used to meet the aims of different kinds of research in education, and learn how to report the results in their own writing.

This module is taught twice to two different cohorts of students - first in the Spring term for full-time students and then repeated in the Summer term for part-time students.  The 200 contact hours are listed for the first iteration of teaching in the Spring term, and these same contact hours are repeated for the second iteration of teaching in the Summer term.

Aims:

The aim of the module is to provide students with an overview of approaches to research in education in order to equip them to the knowledge and skills to understand and evaluate research studies and to carry out a small-scale personal research study for their dissertation.

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate competence in using data analysis tools in the context of Education research


2. Report education research data in text and graphically


3. Critically evaluate data analysis methods and their application in research studies in the field of Education

Additional outcomes:

• Academic literacies in reading and critiquing qualitative and quantitative data


• IT and bibliographic skills, including the use of online educational databases and data analysis software


• Advanced numeracy and essential statistical tools

Outline content:

• Data collection methods, including experimental design, questionnaires, interviews, and case studies


• Methods for analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, including an introduction to the statistical software package SPSS


• Summarise, represent graphically and analyse data sets


• Understanding descriptive statistics


• Documentary analysis


• Understanding coding


• Presenting results in text with critical apprasal


• Appraising data analysis methods in research


• Using a range of data analysis tolls in research design

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The central content areas will be covered through lectures and presentations. Blackboard will be used to provide access to essential readings, screencasts, online self-study material, and other forms of blended learning.

Practical workshop sessions will focus on statistical analysis using SPSS, qualitative data analysis, and documentary analysis. Group activities will further collaborative learning and focus on using data analysis tools, and presenting results in text and graphically.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		15
Practicals classes and workshops		10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		60
Wider reading (directed)		60
Exam revision/preparation		30
Completion of formative assessment tasks		25
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	50
Set exercise	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

There will two types of summative assessment. First students will complete a set exercise demonstrating their competence and fluency in using prescribed qualitative and quantitative data analysis tools on given data sets (AO1). Secondly students will submit a written report demonstrating their ability to report education research data (AO2) presenting a critical review of the data analysis they have undertaken demonstrating their understanding of the research context, issues and ideas that the data represents (AO3).

Formative assessment methods:

Students will carry out supervised exercises during the practical classes and will receive immediate formative feedback on their work.  Students will also have the opportunity to complete weekly tasks at home to support their learning (this is optional).

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50% 

Reassessment arrangements:

Students who fail the assessment will be given the opportunity do the coursework assignment for a second time but their overall mark will be capped at 50%.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 29 February 2024