Unit name | Research Methods 1 |
---|---|
Unit code | ACHSD0005 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | D/8 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Dr. Dan O'Hare |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School for Policy Studies |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit will introduce research methodology as it will be encountered by educational psycholgists both from the point of view of analysing other research work and from the point of view of conducting their own studies. Since all students are graduate psychologists the unit assumes knowledge of the statistical bases of research, including design (sampling, selection of instruments, validity and reliability, ethical considerations); conduct (surveys, questionnaires, interviewing, testing); data preparation (coding, keying, verifying, editing, issing data); and analysis (descriptive and inferential statistics). These will be available for on-line revision and self-study on the course website. Sessions in the Unit will introduce methods of enquiry for educational and child settings. As well as presenting the theoretical underpinnings of research methodology, the unit will provide examples of qualitative and quantitative studies for critical analysis. It will also introduce historical methods, and provide a framework for the inclusion of case studies and action research within the remit of an educational psychologist. On the bases of these analyses, students will be guided towards the construction of their own research progect with tutorial work designed to produce the written project proposal and pilot work.
Aims:
Blended learning will be delivered though a range of synchronous and asynchronous activities. Thses will involve Blackboard collaborate and on-campus sessions where possible with the aim of critiquing and presentation views in seminars and small group work as well as personal tutorials on research planning.
Completion of a 4000 word assignment which will include critical analysis of research methods used in selected relevant studies and the development of proposals for pilot work for research on an agreed topic relevant to the field.