Module: EDU7102-15 Research and the Professional Part 1

Level: 7

Credit Value: 15

Module Tutor: Nicholas Bremner

Module Tutor Contact Details: n.bremner@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

This module is aimed at developing the necessary research skills and understanding for you to be able to carry out professionally relevant research and underpins the final stage Master’s dissertation.

2.Outline syllabus

The nature and purpose of educational research; research paradigms, ontological and epistemological assumptions; ethical implications of educational research; methodologies and different approaches to research; methods of data collection and approaches to data analysis; validity, bias and researcher effects; conducting a small scale research project.

3.Teaching and learning activities

Reading tasks are assigned which proceed from a general overview of the nature of research (reading task 1) to the issues underpinning research and the role that beliefs and values play in the research process (reading task 2). The ethical implications of undertaking research (reading task 3) lead on to exploring the ideas and assumptions that underpin research and a range of research approaches are considered (reading task 4).

Consideration is then given to different approaches to the collection of data and the ways in which it can be analysed (reading task 5). Finally the outcomes of research are considered in the light of validity, bias and researcher effects (reading task 6). An opportunity to summarise your stance on educational research is offered as a summative activity (reading task 7). This final task provides will not only inform the critique for the EDU7102-15 assignment but will also prepare you for the overall research design framework you are required to develop for EDU7103-15.

Each reading task is based around a passage from the set text, to help you to gain a greater understanding of the issues raised, some prompt questions to provoke critical thinking and a short writing task (to enable you to distil and record some of the key ideas).

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work
• Description: Essay 3,750 Words
• % Weighting: 100%