Pre-requisites Community, Research and Theological Reflection
Co-requisites None
Admissions requirements Approved DBS Certification
Disqualified combinations None

1. Construct a critically informed and coherent research project design that investigates an area of professional and/or ministerial practice
Application
Communication

2. Articulate a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current problems in the areas of study and/or area of professional practice
Knowledge and Understanding

3. Provide critical insight into primary and secondary sources of an area that represents advanced scholarship in professional practice and practical theology
Analysis
Reflection

4. Design and critically evaluate research methodologies, including comprehensive consideration of ethical dilemmas, processes and procedures
Application
Analysis

5. Formulate independent approaches to research and/or advanced scholarship, tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously in implementing tasks
Enquiry
Problem Solving

6. Interpret findings, addressing the complexity of outcomes by arriving at sound judgements informed by theoretical and/or theological evaluation.
Analysis
Learning

7. Communicate conclusions and/or recommendations in a form accessible to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Communication

RESEARCH PROPOSAL (20%) - To address learning outcomes 1,2
Example: A carefully considered and detailed research proposal, including initial title; aims; objectives; key literature/source commentary; project design; timetable; and compliance with University ethical procedures.

RESEARCH REPORT (80%) - 14,000 Words – To address learning outcomes 2,3,4,5,6,7
Example: An extended and supervised piece of work on an appropriate field based or library based topic chosen, and approved (following submission of the proposal), in consultation with a project supervisor.

This module aims to facilitate students advanced scholarship through an extended and supervised piece of work on an appropriate field based or library based topic chosen in consultation with course tutors. Students are encouraged to choose a topic that relates to their professional or ministerial practice or research interests and that meets the learning outcomes of their registered award pathway.

You will apply the skills gained through the introduction to research methods in the ‘Community, research and theological reflection’ module on a topic you have chosen. Your research project may draw on your work experiences. The skills and knowledge you will use will include: application of existing research ethics to the topic chosen; surveying existing knowledge and research evidence on a topic of interest - using relevant literature - particularly peer reviewed articles, research reports and scholarly literature; undertaking a formal literature review; defining a research problem; formulating a research design; organising research activity and research instruments (depending on the research problem and the focus); applying qualitative and/or quantitative methods to already existing data sets and/or analysing qualitative or quantitative data or results of literature review; presenting findings; formulating conclusions and/or recommendations.

This module utilises the three inter-related learning strategies for the programme. Taught workshops consist of refreshing student engagement with research methodology, ethics and ‘making the most of your supervisor’ at the residential teaching blocks. Central to this module is the supervision relationship with a course tutor (in person and on-line) that allows for discussion of the individual research that students are undertaking and monitoring of progress. Independent study and professional practice allows for the development of advanced scholarship, tackling and solving problems and acting autonomously in implementing tasks to secure sounds judgements in arriving at conclusions from the research exercise.

Bauer, M. (2000) Qualitative Research with text, image and sound: A practical handbook. London: Sage

Bell, J. (2016) Doing Your Research Project (6th Edition). Milton Keynes: Open University Press
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Bryman, A. (2016) Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cameron, H et al. (2010) Talking About God in Practice: Theological Action, Research and Practical Theology, London: SCM.

Denscombe, M. (2014). The Good Research Guide. (2nd Edition) New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

Fraser, S. et al (eds) (2006) Doing Research with Children and Young People. London: Sage

Gray, D. (2014) Doing Research in the Real World. London: Sage

Potter, S. (2006) Doing Postgraduate Research (2nd Edition). Buckingham: OU.

Punch, K. (2009) Introduction to Research Methods in Education. London: Sage

Smith, J., Flowers, P. and Larkin, M. (2009) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Theory, Method and Research. London: Sage.

Thomson, P. (2008) Doing Visual Research with Children and Young People. Abingdon: Routledge

The collaborative partner has approved and fully equipped teaching spaces for taught sessions; comprehensive library provision and a bespoke VLE that supports student access to resources when working remotely.