The comparative methods assignment will be completed individually, but on the basis of collaborative discussion and information exchange within a group. It will assess all three learning outcomes.

1. The hermeneutics of the research cycle.
2. Philosophy of the social and natural sciences, and how they bear upon research planning.
3. Meaning of the professional and disciplinary context of research work.
4. Ethical and access issues related to investigation, experimentation, collaboration and publication.

1 x day workshop, delivered by multi-disciplinary team teaching.
Lectures, group work, independent supported learning and collaborative work will all feature.

Supervisory team, module tutor, library, computing facilities, internet, for Web based generic research training support.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook

Breakwell, G.M., Hammond, S. & Fife-Schaw, C. (eds.) (2000): Research Methods in Psychology (2nd edn.), London, Sage
Giles D. (2002): Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. Routledge.
Tappan R.M. (2010): Advanced Nursing Research. Jones & Bartlett.
Creswel J.W. & Plano Clark V.L., eds. (2010): Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. Sage
Abu-Bader S. (2010): Advanced & Multivariate Statistical Methods for Social Science Research. Lyceum.
Cater-Steel A. & Al-Hakim L., eds. (2008): Information Systems Research Methods. Information Science Reference.
Smith H. & Dean R.T. (2009): Practice-Led Research, Research-Led Practice in the Creative Arts. Edinburgh.