The purpose of this module is to provide an opportunity for participants to engage in a small scale research project. The content of the project will be determined by the selection of the topic to be studied and the framing of the research questions. The choice of topic and research questions will be guided by the module tutor in response to the student's identification of issues relevant to their current practice and interests.

A research project length 5000 words weighted at 100% - learning outcomes 1,2,3,4,5

The purpose of this module is to provide you with an opportunity to engage in a small scale research project. The content of the project will be determined by your selection of topic and the framing of your research questions.
A distanced learning approach will provide virtual learning with some face to face opportunities. 20 hours of sessions (synchronous/ asynchronous) will provide you with a broad theoretical overview and the conceptual frameworks which underpin educational research. Sessions will focus on research methods and methodology. Topics to be revisited include: quantitative and qualitative methods, action research, case studies covered during the Reflective Practitioner module for you to reflect on initial choices and current choices to proposed methodology. Sessions will also include presenting and analysing data.

The remaining contact time will be for supervisions and will focus on the collation, sequencing and analysis of relevant material; engaging in critical reflection; discussing and overcoming problems involved in the process of draft and redraft as well as the use of appropriate literature and referencing.
Throughout the module there will be formative assessments which do not count to your final mark, but which provide you with information on how you are performing.

1. Identify a line of enquiry which demonstrates a systematic understanding and knowledge of a chosen area of study within the post compulsory sector
Knowledge and understanding
Learning

2. Describe and critically evaluate current research material relevant to the chosen area of study.
Knowledge and understanding
Learning
Analysis
3. Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry as they conduct a small scale research project related to the line of enquiry
Analysis
Enquiry
4. Manage own learning and apply the methods and techniques learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply knowledge and understanding in relation to the line of enquiry

Knowledge and understanding
Application
Reflection
Learning
Problem solving

5. Communicate and analyse information demonstrating an awareness of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge

Communication
Learning

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.

BERA (2018) Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research available from: http://www.bera.ac.uk/publications/ethical-guidelines


BELL, J. (2014) Doing Your Research Project (6th Edition), Maidenhead: Open University Press.

COHEN, L. MANION, L and MORRISON, K. (2017) Research Methods in Education(8th edition), London: Routledge.

DENSCOMBE, M. (2014) The Good Research Guide (5thEdn.) Buckinghamshire: OUP.

Individual Research Project
The module provides an opportunity for participants to engage in a small scale research project. The content of the project will be determined by the selection of the topic to be studied and the framing of the research questions. The choice of topic and research questions will be guided by the module tutor in response to the student's identification of issues relevant to their current practice and interests.
This module will gain you 40 credits at level 6 towards the full BA Hons PCET degree240.