EDM207: Research Methods 1

Module code: EDM207

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Alan Floyd, email: alan.floyd@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Elizabeth McCrum, email: e.m.mccrum@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 17 June 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Research Methods 1 aims to prepare students for research by developing an understanding of the range of methodological approaches to research as well as provide a critical understanding of the philosophy of research in relation to the role it plays in theory construction. This module will focus on research paradigms, research design, and methods of data collection and analysis, including quantitative and qualitative techniques and skills. It will also consider the importance of ethics in research in the professional context. As a blended learning module, it is designed to be flexible, with part of the module delivered through lectures, seminars and mini-conferences and part delivered via the virtual learning environment (Blackboard). Specific sessions will be delivered by experienced university staff in the relevant area.

Aims:

• To develop a critical understanding of research paradigms and underlying philosophical assumptions
• To develop a critical understanding of the range of methodological approaches to research
• To equip students with a knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis
• To understand the process of research design, including formulating research questions
• To understand the role of ethics in research
• To provide opportunities for interaction with experienced researchers

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Critically reflect on the nature of research including research paradigms and underlying philosophical assumptions
2. Critically reflect on a range of methodological approaches and data collection, analysis and reporting methods
3. Understand the importance of ethics in the research process
4. Develop an argument to justify their chosen paradigmatic stance
5. Students will have developed increased depth to their understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in relation to research
6. Students will have increased their ability to communicate complex information in both oral and written communication

Module content

Designing research projects: introduction to research methodology and paradigms; research design; undertaking a literature review and developing research questions; research ethics

Collecting data: sampling strategies; data collection tools (for example, observations, interviews, questionnaires)

Analysing data: analysing and presenting qualitative data; analysing and presenting quantitative data

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module takes place in the first year of the programme and runs over 1 academic year. The module will be delivered over two mandatory study weekends of learning at the University of Reading campus, plus one online synchronous workshop.  Teaching and learning activities will include seminars, practical sessions (for example, in the use of SPSS and Nvivo), group discussions amongst peers, online learning activities, as well as individual/group tutorials. Independent study will be facilitated by appropriate activities and guidance concerning directed reading, as well as on-line learning tasks that promote the intended learning outcomes.

Students will have the opportunity to tailor what they write about in the assessment to their own research area.  

Study hours

At least 9 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Feedback will be offered on a draft version of each assignment up to two months before the final submission deadline.

Reassessment

Additional costs