Module Descriptors
RESEARCH METHODS SEMINAR
COST70306
Key Facts
Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business
Level 7
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Louise Reynolds
Email: L.Reynolds@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 8
Independent Study Hours: 192
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
- Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, PG Semester 1
- Occurrence B, Stoke Campus, PG Semester 2
Sites
- Stoke Campus
Assessment
- Research Report - 3500 words weighted at 100%
Module Details
MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. A KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF A RANGE OF THEORETICAL TOPICS IN ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS.
2. THE ABILITY TO RECOGNISE WHEN METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ARISE IN RESEARCH AND THE ABILITY PROACTIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY TO PURSUE FURTHER KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THESE AREAS.
3. ADVANCED SKILLS OF PROJECT DESIGN, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR SUBJECT AREA.
2. THE ABILITY TO RECOGNISE WHEN METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ARISE IN RESEARCH AND THE ABILITY PROACTIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY TO PURSUE FURTHER KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THESE AREAS.
3. ADVANCED SKILLS OF PROJECT DESIGN, PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR SUBJECT AREA.
MODULE ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
The assignment requires learners to design and implement a small-scale research project, related to their particular area of study.
This report will need to include the following section:
(1) the collation of a literature (and contextual) review of a subject of your choice (which could be used as a pre-literature review for their thesis)
(2) the definition of qualitative and quantitative methodologies (including an explanation and relevance of selected research methods)
(3) conducting and writing up a (small scale) pilot project based in the students chosen field of practice, which discusses and analyses appropriate findings.
(4) reflection on undertaking primary and secondary research.
The various components of the report are not individually marked; rather the report is treated as a single entity and marked accordingly. Thus, there is not predetermined weighting of each component.
This report will need to include the following section:
(1) the collation of a literature (and contextual) review of a subject of your choice (which could be used as a pre-literature review for their thesis)
(2) the definition of qualitative and quantitative methodologies (including an explanation and relevance of selected research methods)
(3) conducting and writing up a (small scale) pilot project based in the students chosen field of practice, which discusses and analyses appropriate findings.
(4) reflection on undertaking primary and secondary research.
The various components of the report are not individually marked; rather the report is treated as a single entity and marked accordingly. Thus, there is not predetermined weighting of each component.
MODULE INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module will provide you to an introduction to postgraduate level research methods. It includes a range of topics that are (a) valid across a range of disciplines; and (b) specifically pertinent to Masters level study.
The content of this module introduces you to key elements involved in the research process that are intended to provide you with a good basis to develop from in the rest of your degree programme. These elements include:
- understanding what research is and why it is important
- getting to grips with, and undertaking, a literature review (secondary research)
- enhancing your skills in critical thinking
- developing your understanding of research methodologies and ethical issues.
The module will also lead you to a practical understanding of the expectations of a postgraduate research student as you will have the opportunity to undertake some primary research in the form of a small-scale project within your subject area.
The content of this module introduces you to key elements involved in the research process that are intended to provide you with a good basis to develop from in the rest of your degree programme. These elements include:
- understanding what research is and why it is important
- getting to grips with, and undertaking, a literature review (secondary research)
- enhancing your skills in critical thinking
- developing your understanding of research methodologies and ethical issues.
The module will also lead you to a practical understanding of the expectations of a postgraduate research student as you will have the opportunity to undertake some primary research in the form of a small-scale project within your subject area.
WEB DESCRIPTOR
This module will provide you to an introduction to postgraduate level research methods. It includes a range of topics that are (a) valid across a range of disciplines; and (b) specifically pertinent to Masters level study.
The content of this module introduces you to key elements involved in the research process that are intended to provide you with a good basis to develop from in the rest of your degree programme.
The content of this module introduces you to key elements involved in the research process that are intended to provide you with a good basis to develop from in the rest of your degree programme.
MODULE LEARNING STRATEGIES
Work-shop lectures, one-to-one tutorials and the use of Blackboard for online learning.
Independent study is also required.
Independent study is also required.
MODULE TEXTS
BELL, J. & WATERS, S. (2018) Doing Your Research Project. 7th Edition. (McGraw-Hill). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5khZ9uAdvSYGBtbmnFA49gYtHHT1NyYk0HaJR9YOCtUAoNMAXqwTYYCdPiBh4GlpKg0lRdCcTPIuLmGOHvoAttLaWnF8dCBjXgjYA4xBt0zhFcaANtiKMw
Bussell, H. (2000), "Qualitative Methods and Analysis in Organizational Research: A Practical Guide", The Learning Organization, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 169-170. https://doi-org.ezproxy.staffs.ac.uk/10.1108/tlo.2000.7.3.169.1
COLINS, H. (2010) Creative research: the theory and practice of research for the creative industries (AVA Academia). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5kZuIwsQSe3WJqZG3HABj2AfFMDExNOBkFncJOoLFUBeqZNBg8DS0lRaSovhOJmkHFzDXH20AU2kdLSiuOhYxnxhubmxuagqwjwSgMApkUkJA
COMTE, A. (2003). A general view of positivism. (Chicago UP) Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwVV09D8IgEGXo4Oc_cOhmHGoo_WJtjB-Do86EUmgc1KQf_n7vhTbRieUgAZK79x7H3YIFxFttAGmjQGIjj2eTqk_hNZ2zTRk2vqRyCPU7fLvQJyh9Ht1zxYK-HezaD0t2Px1vh0s0NgaIGrSljQTFUCONywWvKGKnxHJElUgUriF0ImROsJxnNtGWuJZ0dVYY_Feo6toJLiv0SN_6dSf3q-hQoZTrlyXCrQiXx6iNB8u9t4S_Vrj0vtVGj7nrtFGUT1Il3nFTwHmasPubgIxzcrONHrpOyfP11_YLZthVKQ
DENSCOMBE, M. (2014) The Good Research Guide: for small-scale social research projects. 5th edition. (OUP). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library: https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwhV29DsIgECaxg9o4uzg0cXBqIlAorDY1PoBxJaUHdatR-_4epTVuTuTCX3LD8d0d992aJOi3hkLgYyjnkWj89OJXCK2KR6TKJF9-oyElY1rRFdmidrKu7yGbyG7uWTeMrMnJ-zm4TRxScjvX1-qSTw0D8iY0Aqe5dbqh4IVVUsmSCxTAeRDOlrJVtgAPlFrFALiW0GqcEtIhRGC4SReWp2QXD0Zo5v3LTDEUwxBV0UAteIjTs9k2Y0pz-kdp6lOF7g--iqFZwj6ujMlP84jcESYQ_syqoP-u-wANolrT
GAILLET, LL. & EBLE, MF. (2016) Primary research and writing: people, places, and spaces (Routledge) Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5kZuAyNDU1BR4WYGXEyyARAzk5QgB5hk6EA7CcrlIPO7clL52FgKSkqTeWFUNwMMm6uIc4eusDWUVpacTx0GCPeCJg4TUB3W-GVBgDVNSTh
HART, C. 1999. Doing a Literature Review. (SAGE) [a copy of the relevant chapter is on Blackboard for you; see the 1 Literature Reviews folder for this].
MARTIN, W. & BRIDGMON, K. (2012) Quantitative and statistical research methods: from hypothesis to results (Jossey-Bass). Here is a link to the article from Staffordshire University library: https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5lBl_IA265GwCrJnAM26GFgZglMIkacDLqBpYl54F1UwDytAOwzK4D2z4CPJk7MUYCec5OhALlFuZiHgaWkqDSVF0JxM8i4uYY4e-gCtaSlFcdDxzniQbaZgo7_wysNABsHLzc
MORRIS, M. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. The Modern Language Journal, 04/2006, Volume:90. (Blackwell Publishing) ) Here is a link to the article from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5lAx5SaGOiCdjKygFdZmOmaW4IW00BLSWDD1oSTQd0ZWFYrgJbMVSrAlppZKbiAFy8oALvSCr7ge5SLeRhYSopKU3khFDdDiJtriLOHLvS-AN0sU3MTXbNUI3Ng5WeaCnSVUWJSmrExsNxNtkg0AdapKQYW5pZpaUnJwJI60SjFzDApxcTcHLTRJTUtzTTN2MwyBXTBgQzEWPDCxPgCyHEP8camwF6isYkxAMLpOvk
SHABAN, R. (2009) Yin, R.K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods, Fourth Edition, Applied Social Research Methods Volume 5, (Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal). Here is a link to the article from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbUxkg-1MgS6kSU_OyoEdDGuoBo50FdIapuYkusDFtzgEtNoENAyNzToaLkAXFCt56CpGZeQo6Cs7AwlwBtKauUgG2Fs1KwQW8ukEB2NdW8AVftFyso-AGDPuSDAXXFPBSJx0FaCtOAbLNFa4ZpkEhDJz7FUx1FECrYxSQR8kUPEFnSILPEQYaoAFaIqCpAKz6FEB5HGhVQGIB0M-Jydk6CkFBAQqOoSoKZqChGR0Fz2AnPysF8DlSwIrUDNj8MuRhYCkpKk3lhVDcDEZuriHOHrqwSjC-AHKqRDxsuVVWPCi4QNdDWsYbGMaDcglZmgCjWHRt
SILVER, C. and LEWINS, A. 2014. Using software in qualitative research. 2nd edition. (Sage). Book available from University library. Dewey: 300.72.
TRACY, S.J. (2012) Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting Evidence, Crafting Analysis, Communicating Impact. (Wiley-Blackwell). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwjZ07C8IwEIALOvj8Bw7FRRwKaXN5rZaKi5uIW2ibdFFQbPX3e9e0u1MIHIEMd7lXvltEU4xb6SMwalGglcOEPlSRr4CR9o0SblT8U8LI2ZgNIe44pGoebQI6oodex2PzWXzupym3q2javT9-HZZldD0Wl_yUDFMDkjLTWpjEaS1TnymPzoXx0rmm8o3jXAA-9Vqy2jhIoTbgOZSm4rVkHqpGV8wJpzwBQffh4LK9o6VBK9S19vvoq5etJUjUeLP_ZYUmMOEuyI5G3_ZiQxemLQ45Oj-ogjRqYRskKbPhnvYVyBM2bEEZxhX_ARaYZes
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5khZ9uAdvSYGBtbmnFA49gYtHHT1NyYk0HaJR9YOCtUAoNMAXqwTYYCdPiBh4GlpKg0lRdCcTPIuLmGOHvoAttLaWnF8dCBjXgjYA4xBt0zhFcaANtiKMw
Bussell, H. (2000), "Qualitative Methods and Analysis in Organizational Research: A Practical Guide", The Learning Organization, Vol. 7 No. 3, pp. 169-170. https://doi-org.ezproxy.staffs.ac.uk/10.1108/tlo.2000.7.3.169.1
COLINS, H. (2010) Creative research: the theory and practice of research for the creative industries (AVA Academia). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5kZuIwsQSe3WJqZG3HABj2AfFMDExNOBkFncJOoLFUBeqZNBg8DS0lRaSovhOJmkHFzDXH20AU2kdLSiuOhYxnxhubmxuagqwjwSgMApkUkJA
COMTE, A. (2003). A general view of positivism. (Chicago UP) Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwVV09D8IgEGXo4Oc_cOhmHGoo_WJtjB-Do86EUmgc1KQf_n7vhTbRieUgAZK79x7H3YIFxFttAGmjQGIjj2eTqk_hNZ2zTRk2vqRyCPU7fLvQJyh9Ht1zxYK-HezaD0t2Px1vh0s0NgaIGrSljQTFUCONywWvKGKnxHJElUgUriF0ImROsJxnNtGWuJZ0dVYY_Feo6toJLiv0SN_6dSf3q-hQoZTrlyXCrQiXx6iNB8u9t4S_Vrj0vtVGj7nrtFGUT1Il3nFTwHmasPubgIxzcrONHrpOyfP11_YLZthVKQ
DENSCOMBE, M. (2014) The Good Research Guide: for small-scale social research projects. 5th edition. (OUP). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library: https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwhV29DsIgECaxg9o4uzg0cXBqIlAorDY1PoBxJaUHdatR-_4epTVuTuTCX3LD8d0d992aJOi3hkLgYyjnkWj89OJXCK2KR6TKJF9-oyElY1rRFdmidrKu7yGbyG7uWTeMrMnJ-zm4TRxScjvX1-qSTw0D8iY0Aqe5dbqh4IVVUsmSCxTAeRDOlrJVtgAPlFrFALiW0GqcEtIhRGC4SReWp2QXD0Zo5v3LTDEUwxBV0UAteIjTs9k2Y0pz-kdp6lOF7g--iqFZwj6ujMlP84jcESYQ_syqoP-u-wANolrT
GAILLET, LL. & EBLE, MF. (2016) Primary research and writing: people, places, and spaces (Routledge) Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5kZuAyNDU1BR4WYGXEyyARAzk5QgB5hk6EA7CcrlIPO7clL52FgKSkqTeWFUNwMMm6uIc4eusDWUVpacTx0GCPeCJg4TUB3W-GVBgDVNSTh
HART, C. 1999. Doing a Literature Review. (SAGE) [a copy of the relevant chapter is on Blackboard for you; see the 1 Literature Reviews folder for this].
MARTIN, W. & BRIDGMON, K. (2012) Quantitative and statistical research methods: from hypothesis to results (Jossey-Bass). Here is a link to the article from Staffordshire University library: https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5lBl_IA265GwCrJnAM26GFgZglMIkacDLqBpYl54F1UwDytAOwzK4D2z4CPJk7MUYCec5OhALlFuZiHgaWkqDSVF0JxM8i4uYY4e-gCtaSlFcdDxzniQbaZgo7_wysNABsHLzc
MORRIS, M. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. The Modern Language Journal, 04/2006, Volume:90. (Blackwell Publishing) ) Here is a link to the article from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbU5lAx5SaGOiCdjKygFdZmOmaW4IW00BLSWDD1oSTQd0ZWFYrgJbMVSrAlppZKbiAFy8oALvSCr7ge5SLeRhYSopKU3khFDdDiJtriLOHLvS-AN0sU3MTXbNUI3Ng5WeaCnSVUWJSmrExsNxNtkg0AdapKQYW5pZpaUnJwJI60SjFzDApxcTcHLTRJTUtzTTN2MwyBXTBgQzEWPDCxPgCyHEP8camwF6isYkxAMLpOvk
SHABAN, R. (2009) Yin, R.K. Case Study Research: Design and Methods, Fourth Edition, Applied Social Research Methods Volume 5, (Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal). Here is a link to the article from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMw42JgAfZbUxkg-1MgS6kSU_OyoEdDGuoBo50FdIapuYkusDFtzgEtNoENAyNzToaLkAXFCt56CpGZeQo6Cs7AwlwBtKauUgG2Fs1KwQW8ukEB2NdW8AVftFyso-AGDPuSDAXXFPBSJx0FaCtOAbLNFa4ZpkEhDJz7FUx1FECrYxSQR8kUPEFnSILPEQYaoAFaIqCpAKz6FEB5HGhVQGIB0M-Jydk6CkFBAQqOoSoKZqChGR0Fz2AnPysF8DlSwIrUDNj8MuRhYCkpKk3lhVDcDEZuriHOHrqwSjC-AHKqRDxsuVVWPCi4QNdDWsYbGMaDcglZmgCjWHRt
SILVER, C. and LEWINS, A. 2014. Using software in qualitative research. 2nd edition. (Sage). Book available from University library. Dewey: 300.72.
TRACY, S.J. (2012) Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting Evidence, Crafting Analysis, Communicating Impact. (Wiley-Blackwell). Here is a link to the e-book from Staffordshire University library:
https://staffs.summon.serialssolutions.com/#!/search?bookMark=ePnHCXMwjZ07C8IwEIALOvj8Bw7FRRwKaXN5rZaKi5uIW2ibdFFQbPX3e9e0u1MIHIEMd7lXvltEU4xb6SMwalGglcOEPlSRr4CR9o0SblT8U8LI2ZgNIe44pGoebQI6oodex2PzWXzupym3q2javT9-HZZldD0Wl_yUDFMDkjLTWpjEaS1TnymPzoXx0rmm8o3jXAA-9Vqy2jhIoTbgOZSm4rVkHqpGV8wJpzwBQffh4LK9o6VBK9S19vvoq5etJUjUeLP_ZYUmMOEuyI5G3_ZiQxemLQ45Oj-ogjRqYRskKbPhnvYVyBM2bEEZxhX_ARaYZes
MODULE RESOURCES
Classroom sessions.
Blackboard.
University Library.
Blackboard.
University Library.