- Blackboard VLE will be used for repository of materials and resources.
- MS Teams will be used for group collaboration, discussion and may be used for module supervision meetings
- University Library resources for a range of relevant texts, e-books and academic journals
- Access to academic study skills support
- Access to subject librarians

Aveyard, H., Payne, S. and Preston, N. (2021) A Post-graduate’s Guide to doing a Literature Review. 2nd Edn. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Denscombe, M. (2019) Research Proposals. A Practical Guide. 2nd Edn. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Greetham, B. (2020) How to write your Literature Review. London: Macmillan Publishers Ltd.
Punch, K.F. (2016) Developing Effective Research Proposals. 3rd Edn. London: Sage.

The content of the module will include:
- What makes an effective research proposal?
- Evaluating example research proposals
- Designing research questions
- The role of the literature review in developing a research proposal
- What makes an effective literature review?
- Communicating research design in relation to specific research questions.

Formative assessment 1: Individual presentation
Formative assessment 2: Examine research proposals noting strengths and limitations of each research proposal.
Consider the key elements of an effective research proposal.


The assessment for this module comprises two components. A pass must be achieved in both parts:

1: A formal written thesis research proposal. Assesses Learning Outcomes 1-4 (75%)

2: An oral examination of the planned research project. Assesses Learning Outcomes 5-6. (25%)

The learning model adopted in EdD Stage 1 is that of group supervision where a cohort works and learns together collaboratively under the supervision of academic tutors. Peer group learning is an essential element of the EdD programme. There is a strong emphasis on activity-focused learning and participants are expected to be prepared for each session and engage in group discussions in an informed manner. There are two Saturday Schools in this module followed by six individual supervision meetings (1 hour max) with an allocated module supervisor to support your learning and the assessment work. You will be expected to use online databases for literature searching; to access the internet for relevant materials to support your learning; and to utilise the Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard, provided for the programme.
Opportunities for ongoing formative feedback will be provided.

Tutorial support will be available via, for example, MS Teams, Blackboard Collaborate, telephone, in person, through scheduled appointments and group/individual discussion.

The content of the module will include:
- What makes an effective research proposal?
- Evaluating example research proposals
- Designing research questions
- The role of the literature review in developing a research proposal
- What makes an effective literature review?
- Communicating research design in relation to specific research questions.