1. Approaches to research design in a professional education context.
Research principles and paradigms
Qualitative and quantitative research
Experimental designs
Action research

2. Data collection and data management
Strategies for data collection
Data analysis, interpretation and presentation.
Research methodology

3. Research Management:
Planning and organising a research project
Identifying researchable issues
Critically engaging with academic literature
Time and task management
Organising fieldwork

4. Ethical issues in education research
Informed consent
Confidentiality issues
BERA guidelines

dissertation: LO 1 - 6
The essay will be a publishable research paper and must include the following:
a) Rationale for topic choice
b) Critical understanding and analysis of key literature in the chosen research area
c) Refined aim and objectives of the research project
d) Detailed research design and methodological approach to the proposed research project
e) Ethical approval for the research project – gained before any research takes place
f) Presentation of research data generated through the project in a transparent manner and analyses this data to address the research aim and objectives.
g) Demonstration of the findings and analysis appropriately contextualised with critical reference made to published sources.
h) Critical and reflective commentary on the research methods used.
i) Translation of the outcomes of the research into a series of professional recommendations.

Throughout the module, students will be provided with regular formative feedback and assigned an individual supervisor from the start of the module. Formative feedback will comprise verbal feedback and annotated in-text feedback on draft submissions.

This module will be delivered in distance learning mode. Regular synchronous sessions will be scheduled to be held and there will be clear expectations for contact time and independent study. Learners will collaborate with staff and peers in a dynamic learning environment. They will engage with content via video conferencing lectures and will be supported by 24/7 access to a wide range of online asynchronous resources on the VLE - Moodle.

There will be opportunities to engage in group discussion and independent work, reflection questions, and formative assessment, to enhance understanding of key concepts and to develop a critical awareness of theoretical constraints that underlie practical application. There will be regular opportunities for interaction with the tutor and other students and regular feedback from the tutors, peers and encouragement to self-assess.

The teaching approaches will include presentations, group discussions, case studies, forum discussions and critical exploration of journal publications. There will be a strong emphasis on activity-focused learning and participants are expected to actively engage in all online sessions. In addition, participants are required to engage in independent study to consolidate and build upon their learning in taught sessions. A variety of multi-media resources will be employed, such as: Padlet, Socrative, Kahoot! Moodle Wikis, Blogs, Forums and Hot Potatoes. There will be regular tutorials including tutorial with the academic mentor to ensure that engagement and motivation are promoted.

Participants will undertake independent study and research activity through the following: retrieval of information, location of evidence, analysis, interpretation and synthesis of materials, critical thought and evaluation, questioning of assumptions and where appropriate, to relate theory and practice. Guidance and formative feedback will be provided throughout this module by an academic supervisor, allocated to the student according to the topic and theme of the research project.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of research designs, analyse the appropriateness of research methodology, reflect on required ethical procedures Learning, Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis,

Critically analyse the need for research on the chosen education issue using relevant published literature. Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis,

Design a robust, ethical and manageable research study, demonstrating the appropriateness of chosen research methods by drawing on research methodology texts. Problem solving Application

Clearly communicate the research question(s), aims and objectives of the research project. Communication

Systematically present research findings and analyse data generated through your research project, in conjunction with relevant published literature, so as to meet your research aim and objectives Reflection, Communication

Translate research findings into specific and appropriate professional recommendations. Communication, Reflection

University and Unicert library
IT facilities
Presentation facilities VLE - Moodle

Key Texts:

Cargill, M. & Burgess, S. (2017). Publishing research in English as an additional language. University of Adelaide Press.
McDonough, J. & McDonough, S. (2014). Research methods for English language teachers. USA: Routledge.
Rashtchi, M. (2015). Research Methods A Textbook for EFL Learners.
Bell, J. and Waters, S. (2018) Doing Your Research Project (5th Edition), Maidenhead: Open University Press
Cohen, L. Manion, L and Morrison, K. (2017) Research Methods in Education (8th edition), London: Routledge
Harcourt, D., Perry, B. and Waller, T., (2011), Researching Young Children ¿s Perspectives: Debating the Ethical Dilemmas of Educational Research with Children, London, Routledge
British Educational Research Association, 2018. Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research. 4th Edition: https://www.bera.ac.uk/publication/ethical-guidelines-for-educational-research-2018

Critical analysis, thinking and writing:
https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/academic_writing

None

This module presents approaches to research design in a professional education context. The following topics and issues will be explored: Research principles and paradigms; strategies for data collection. Data management, analysis, interpretation and presentation. Research Management: planning and organising a research project; identifying researchable issues; critically engaging with academic literature; time and task management; organising fieldwork. Ethical issues in education research, consent and confidentiality issues.