This module is designed to nurture independent post-graduate researchers and to furnish them with a rounded set of skills to support high-quality applied research. Practitioners must develop an understanding of the professional nature of research which requires critical thinking, problem solving, flexibility and reflection. As such, they must be conversant with a range of problem-solving skills pertinent to both quantitative and qualitative research datasets. The Vitae Research Framework https://www.vitae.ac.uk/ will provide the overarching structure for this core 40-credit module. Students will be guided through an audit of their skills at the start to identify gaps that they wish to fill during the Applied Masters programme. Then using a problem-based approach, a set of quantitative (statistical analysis, exploratory data analysis, data visualisation and mapping) skills will be combined with a rigorous introduction to qualitative research skills (interviewing, action research, visual methods etc). In the second part of the programme the focus will shift towards considering research communication and will include training and development in writing for research, publication, open access and open data. Consideration will be given to the role of stakeholders and the need to communicate with these different audiences. Both written, oral and visual media will be considered. Finally, the tools and techniques to evaluate the impact of research will be discussed, particularly in response to funders and collaborators. Students will be encouraged to revisit their skills audit throughout the course to assess their progress in addressing gaps and to gain confidence in their growing research toolkit.

Assessment 1: 3000 word Research Skills Report will comprise 75% of the module mark and will address LO1 and LO2. It will comprise 3 key components.

Analysis of an existing research dataset. The student will identify a research project of interest and undertake a considered piece of quantitative / qualitative or mixed methods analysis of this dataset, demonstrating data skills learnt through the module training.

Evidence of training. A documented set of completed training (which may be in statistical methods, fieldwork approaches, technical training on laboratory equipment, archival work as appropriate to the student’s research field).

Reflection. The final part of the report will be a reflective component which will re-examine their individual research skills and comment on how they have demonstrated their professional research development through their self-negotiated training and data evaluation.

Assessment 2: 800 word / 10-minute audio or visual Research Communication Artefact which will comprise 25% of the module mark and will address LO3.

Students will produce a succinct and engaging research communication artefact which will focus on a topic relevant to their research interests. They can choose from a range of assessment approaches which may include:

An 800-word article for an interested lay audience suitable for publication in ‘The Conversation’ or similar high-quality research communication media

An 800-word research blog for publication on the University website

A 10-minute audio presentation suitable for a TED-talk or similar

A negotiated artefact appropriate to their research field

Formative assessment: Opportunities for ongoing formative feedback will be provided during class discussion sessions. Student’s skills audit will be discussed 1 2 1 with the tutor and presented to peers to help self-identify research skill gaps.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:

Classes that will combine, on a flexible basis, seminars with workshop exercises and be used to introduce theoretical concepts and to explore case studies.
Independent learning through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based training materials to develop a detailed knowledge of research methods appropriate for Masters’ level study.

Assessment Preparation for planning, researching and writing.

Opportunities for ongoing formative feedback will be provided during class discussion sessions. Student’s skills audit will be discussed 1 2 1 with the tutor and presented to peers to help self-identify research skill gaps.

CRITICALLY EVALUATE YOUR RESEARCH SKILLSET AND SET GOALS TO ADDRESS ANY GAPS

DEMONSTRATE ADVANCED SKILLS IN DATA HANDLING AND ANALYSIS

EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE RESEARCH FINDINGS TO A RANGE OF AUDIENCES USING APPROPRIATE MEDIA, LANGUAGE AND CONTENT

Access to the Vitae Research Training (Staffordshire University is a member)

Access to the Staffordshire University Skillsite for self-learning.

High quality teaching space with usual audio-visual facilities.
Library resources both physical and online.

Hatcher, l. (2013) Advanced Statistics in Research: Reading, Understanding, and Writing Up Data Analysis Results. Shadow Finch Media LLC.

Illingworth, S. and Allen G. (2020) Effective Science Communication: A practical guide to surviving as a scientist. 2nd edition. Institute of Physics (IOP) Publishing.

James, G., Witten, D., Hastie, T. and Tibshirani, R. (2017) An Introduction to Statistical Learning: with Applications in R. Springer, NY.

Kara, H., Lemon, N., Mannay, D., and McPherson, M. (2021) Creative Research Methods in Education. Principles and Practice. Bristol University Press: Bristol.

Pallant, J. (2020), SPSS Survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using IMB SPSS (7th Ed), McGraw-Hill Education, UK.

Rickinson, M. (2016) Communicating Research Findings. In Wyse, D., Smith, E., Suter, L.E., Selwyn, N (Eds.) The BERA/Sage Handbook of Educations Research. London: Sage.

Sparkes, A. C., and Smith, B. (2014). Qualitative research methods in Sport, Exercise and Health: From process to product. Oxon: Routledge.

Silverman, D (2015) Interpreting Qualitative Data 5th Edition. Sage Publications Ltd, NY.

Willig, C. (2013) Introducing qualitative research in psychology. Maidenhead, UK: Open University Press.

Wu, CFJ and Hamada, M. (2009) Experiments: Planning, Analysis, and Optimization. Wiley-Interscience, NY.