Module: ECS6002-20 Early Childhood Dissertation Part 1

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Dr Sharon Colilles

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.coliles@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

Dissertation Part 1 lays the foundations for you to carry out research in the field of early childhood studies. It is a chance to build on the knowledge, understanding and skills you have already acquired through your work at Levels 4 and 5. You will choose an issue, question or topic which you are very interested in, an area which you have already looked into and would like to develop further or an aspect of early childhood which you think will be useful for your future career.

In this module you will consider research methodologies, write a literature review and design a piece of research on a topic of your choice. What you write will depend on the type of research you choose to do. It is often a theoretically informed, small-scale empirical enquiry but a range of other kinds of research and enquiry are possible within the context of early childhood. You are expected to work independently, researching your topic thoroughly. 

In order to support your research, you will be assigned a dissertation supervisor who will be able to assist you in the successful conduct of your research project and advise you about the approaches you can take. There will also be an opportunity to engage in lectures and seminars and a number of support materials specific to early childhood will be available. These will include blended learning sessions and key readings on Minerva. 

2.Outline syllabus

• Content

➢     Components of Methodology – paradigms, ontology, epistemology, quantitative, qualitative and conceptual approaches

➢     Research approaches:  Quantitative: surveys, secondary data sets, statistical analysis, statistical significance

➢     Research approaches:  Qualitative: interviews, participant observation, case-study, etc.

➢     Research design: sampling and analysis

➢     Types of literature reviews - critical, thematic, systematic, mapping etc.

➢      Research ethics

❖     Skills

➢     Academic writing

➢     Critical thinking

➢    Developing research questions and research design

3.Teaching and learning activities:

• Lectures

• Seminars

• Tutorials

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Literature review (3,500 words)

• % Weighting: 70

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Research approach poster presentation (1,500 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 30