1. Demonstrate systematic understanding and knowledge of a chosen area of study within the education or early childhood studies sector.

2. Identify and critically discuss research material relevant to the chosen area of study

3. Demonstrate self-directed research skills of planning, design, analysis and evaluation in a small scale, ethical research project showing an awareness of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.

1. Your dissertation should be structured to reflect both the contents and the order set out below. The total project should be 7000 words:

Title page

Lists of contents, tables/illustrations and appendices

Abstract of Research Project

Introduction (500 words)

Literature review (2000 words)

Evaluation of effectiveness of your approaches to Research Methodology as justified in your Research Proposal (1500)

Findings and Analysis (2000)

Conclusions and recommendations (1000)

References

Appendices



(LO's 1, 2 and 3)



Formative assessment: Students will be provided with an opportunity to present their findings to a small peer group and receive peer and tutor feedback. Students will also be able to submit draft sections of their chapters to their supervising tutor. Submission dates for draft sections will be timetabled. Students will be required to work within the timelines provided.

The purpose of this module is to provide an opportunity for participants to engage in a small scale independent research project. The content of the research will be determined by the selection of the topic to be studied and the framing of the hypothesis/research question. This module will allow the students to build on and develop their research skills, to implement different research methodology and to undertake small scale research utilising appropriate academic conventions.

In this module you will be able to explore an education area of interest to conduct primary research. Your research focus will be agreed with the module tutor and a suitable research supervisor assigned to you. After University ethical approval is granted, you will carry out data collection and independently progress with your study under supervisor guidance.

The teaching, learning and assessment strategy has been carefully developed for this module.¿ It recognises that you learn in a variety of¿ways,¿and this is reflected in the digitally enabled learning design of the module. The following strategies will ensure that you have a supportive teaching and learning environment, providing a range of learning opportunities through online and face to face sessions.¿

Lectures - You will be given lectures which will provide theoretical underpinning on key educational concepts. These may take the form of face-to-face, digital or virtual sessions and include group discussion work. This will support the development of theoretical understanding and application in a professional context.¿

Tutorials – You will be given the opportunity to discuss your assessment reflections with your module tutor and gain academic support from your Academic Mentor.¿¿¿

Independent study – You are required to engage with further independent study to enhance your knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts discussed in lectures, group discussions and tutorials.¿

Guided reading – You will be provided with a reading list and relevant resources to enable you to engage with relevant and appropriate debates.¿¿

This module will also provide opportunities for you to:¿


work¿with others¿

develop interpersonal¿skills¿

communicate and debate subject¿content¿



¿¿

Bell, J, (2018), Doing Your Research Project, Maidenhead, OUP
Cohen, L, Manion, L & Morrison, K., (2017), Research Methods in Education, (8th ed) Oxford, Routledge
Mukherji, P & Albon, D, (2018), Research Methods in Early Childhood: An Introductory Guide, GB, Sage
Buckler, S. and Walliman, N. (2016) Your Dissertation in Education: 2nd Edition. London: Sage.

Unless otherwise stated, all books are available online through Staffordshire University library website when logged in using your university username and password.¿ If you have difficulty accessing these, please contact the¿University¿library.¿There is also an online reading list for each module on this course.¿ To access this, go to¿http://staffs.rebuslist.com/¿and then type in the module code in the search box.¿ Do not worry if this list seems excessively long.¿ You may wish to focus on texts which are most relevant to your education sector.¿ This module covers a wide range of¿texts¿and you may find that you only need to read short sections of the texts listed (or from other texts that you may find in libraries or journals). Your tutor will also advise you on the relevant texts and sections of texts to read.¿ Remember that it is important to show you have considered views from a wide range of sources.¿ When referring to texts in your assignment, always use¿https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/refzone¿for guidance.¿¿There are many versions of Harvard referencing systems in use around the world, but for Staffordshire University,¿Refzone¿Harvard system is the only correct method to use.¿¿

Study skills:¿

For guidance on academic writing, remember that the Staffordshire University library holds a wealth of resources to support study skills at¿https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/study-skills. The study skills team can also provide 1 to 1 support.¿¿

VLE Resources¿

Your University VLE will enable you to have access to course materials, lecture notes, PowerPoint presentations and reading lists.¿ Your VLE offers opportunities to engage in group work and independent learning¿by the use of¿such things as synchronous/asynchronous discussion boards, video links, blogs and wikis.¿