Bell, J. (2010) Doing Your Research Project (5th Edition), Maidenhead : Open University Press

Cohen, L. Manion, L and Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education(6th edition), London: Routledge

Sharp, J. (2009) Success with your Education Research Project Exeter: Learning Matters

All of the above are available online through Staffordshire University as e-books

BERA (2011) Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research available from: http://www.bera.ac.uk/publications/ethical-guidelines

Jean McNiff: http://www.jeanmcniff.com/
Leading action research practitioner. http://www.jeanmcniff.com/ar-booklet.asp

Plymouth University guide:
http://www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/resined/actionresearch/arhome.htm

Staffordshire University Media Library http://medialibrary.staffs.ac.uk/: Films of teaching and learning in various contexts, with Ofsted style analysis.


Academic education journals such as:

British Educational Research Journal Educational Studies
Educational Research
Journal of Education Policy
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education
All of the above are available online through Staffordshire University library

Tutor input will focus on explaining the purpose of practitioner led research as well as demonstrating several models/approaches to small-scale action research. Learners will then be responsible for reflecting on their practice and identifying an area of interest/concern which they consider important to examine further.

This Individual Research Project provides learners with the opportunity to reflect, explore and look more deeply into a work-based issue which is of particular interest to you and your workplace. It provides learners with a chance to develop their practice and the work of others as well as enhancing their own learners' opportunities to succeed.

In order to avoid potentially unethical research, learners will gain tutor and placement manager approval prior to commencement.

This module introduces the learner to the purpose, principles and processes of doing practitioner-led research.

Learners will have to:
(i) Reflect on current practice
(ii) Identify a key issue for research
(iii) Evaluate differing approaches to research and justify selection of chosen approach
(iv) Complete a small case study related to their educational practice.
(v) Identify future developments to practice/opportunities for an action research project.

1) Complete an action research project relating to an area of your educational practice. 3000 words 100% (LO 1-5)