This course is designed to enable students to develop and conduct an independent educational research project that is relevant to their own area of interest. It focuses on training in a variety of research approaches, methods and data analysis techniques.

4 hours per week:

2x1- hour lecture

1x2- hour seminar

To accommodate 6 week MA Primary Education Placement, course runs in Week 1-6 of the Semester, and for 2 weeks after Easter break.

None

None

Short Answer Questions (25%) - this assessment is divided into 6 weekly thematic multiple choice assessments, covering the core content of the course, each worth 4.16% of the final grade. Students will be tested on their knowledge of core concepts in research design and methodology. (ILOs 1 & 2)

Research Proposal (75%) - Students should complete a 2,500 word proposal, outlining a potential dissertation topic, methodology and research design. Students will be provided with a template to help them operationalise their chosen research question (comprising introduction, research objectives & questions, literature review, research design and timeline and ethical considerations) (ILOs 1, 2 and 3)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The overall aim of the course is to provide students with a foundational level of research literacy and to help them develop a set of skills needed to conduct independent educational research.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain the purposes of educational research, including how research can be used to inform professional practice

■ Critically evaluate different types and methods of educational research

■ Apply skills in designing, planning and conducting research relevant to educational contexts 

1. Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.

2. In order to be eligible for the award of credit for this course, students must achieve a minimum of 80% attendance (see programme handbook for further details).