Module: EDU6010-20 International Development and Education Dissertation 1

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Vandana Singh

Module Tutor Contact Details: v.singh@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 education related to your award. 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 education and development 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 education which you think will be useful for your future career.

In this unit you will consider research methodologies, write a literature review and design a piece of research on a topic of your choice. This will be related to, and the foundations of, a small piece of theoretically inform empirical research. Your choice of approach and methodology and topic are undetermined as long as they relate to the degree topic in some way.

You are expected to work independently, researching your topic thoroughly. You will produce a formative 500 word research proposal which will include an ethics statement, an approval form and a timeline. You will also complete 1 written summative assessments of 5,000 words which will map the terrain of your research topic, describe your research methodology, research plan and ethics and  discuss any theoretical frame you will be employing and it’s relation to the topic (literature review).

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 opportunity to engage in lectures and seminars and support materials. These will include blended learning sessions and key readings on Minerva.  In addition, there will be a range of online resources designed to support the development of your individual project.

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

• Online Resources

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description:  First part of your dissertation 

• % Weighting: 100