A 5,000 word small scale action research project into an appropriate area of the lifelong learning sector. The title and project plan has to be approved by the module tutor. (Assessing Learning OUtcomes 1-5)

All assessment tasks must be passed at a minimum grade point 7.

Minimum Core
Through your Individual Learning Plans, you will provide evidence of planning to develop your practice in literacy, language, mathematics and information communication technologies

BASSEY, M (2003) `If the power to pursue excellence in research in education were vested in teachers, research would have a key role in Research Intelligence, 83:22-31
BELL, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project, Buckingham, Open University Press
COHEN, L. MANION, L and MORRISON, K. (2000) Research Methods in Education, London, RoutledgeFalmer
DURRANT, J. AND HOLDEN, G. (2005) Teachers Leading Change: Doing Research for School Improvement, London, Sage
LANKSHEAR, C. KNOBEL, M. (2004) A Handbook for Teacher Research, Buckingham, Open University Press
JAMESON, J. and HILLIER, Y (2003) Researching Post-Compulsory Education (Continuum Research Methods Series.) London, Continuum
HILLIER, Y. and JAMISON, J. (2003) Empowering Researchers in Further Education, Stoke-on-Trent, Trentham
MCKERNAN, J. (1996) Curriculum Action Research: A Handbook of Methods and Resources for the Reflective Practioner (2nd ed) London: Kogan Page

During this module, you will be involved in lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials to provide you with a broad theoretical overview and the conceptual frameworks which have underpinned the development of action research. These will also provide the opportunity to develop your research skills to apply these to a small scale action research project intro an appropriate aspect of the lifelong learning sector.

A further 118 hours of independent study will require you to take responsibility for relating the issues addressed in this module to the development of a small scale research project. In particular, it will require you to identify an appropriate research question and research plan which has to be approved by the module tutor before further work can proceed. This will form the basis of the assessment. Participants are also required to organise and review their session notes and undertake preparatory reading and research on assigned materials in order to participate in, and lead, discussions individually and as part of a group.

University and College Blackboards

This module aims to provide you with an opportunity to engage in a small scale action 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 your identification of issues relevant to your current practice and interests. The final choice of research question and dissertation title must be approved by the module tutor.

Taught sessions will focus on action research methods and methodology including research ethics. Topics studied include: quantitative and qualitative methods; presenting and analysing data and research ethics. Group tutorials will focus on the processes of undertaking an individual study and writing a report. Participants will be encouraged to share their experiences in group tutorials in relation to defining a topic or theme; establishing a line of enquiry; reviewing the literature; collating, sequencing and analysing relevant material; engaging in critical reflection; problems involved in the process of draft and redraft; and the use of appropriate ethical procedures and referencing and bibliographies

LLUK PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
Values and commitments included in this unit are all those in Domain A. Others will depend on the precise focus of the Action Research project chosen by the student.

AS 1; AS 2; AS 3; AS 4; AS 5; AS 6; AS 7

Standards included in this unit:
AK 1.1; AK 2.1; AK 2.2; AK 3.1; AK 4.1; AK 4.2; AK 4.3; AK 5.1; AK 5.2; AK 6.1; AK 6.2; AK 7.1; AK 7.2; AK 7.3

AP 1.1; AP 2.1; AP 2.2; AP 3.1; AP 4.1; AP 4.2; AP 4.3; AP 5.1; AP 5.2; AP 6.1; AP 6.2; AP 7.1; AP 7.2; AP 7.3