1. Demonstrate capability of reviewing literature, identify gaps in body of knowledge and show how proposed area of study would contribute to gap in knowledge
Enquiry, communication

2. Demonstrate capacity to identify a research problem, develop a strategy to research it and communicate this in a detailed dissertation research proposal
application

3. Justify choice to employ at least one major research technique encountered on the module to generate data that will address dissertation research problem
Knowledge and understanding

4. Demonstrate knowledge of ethical guidelines and illustrate potential to practice research ethically Application, Enquiry, Reflection

Dissertation research proposal 2,500 words (summative weighted at 100%) (meets LO 1,2,3,4)

This module guides students through the stages of conceiving, designing and writing up their Level 6 dissertation research proposal.

Tuition on this module will focus on: a) how to conduct a thorough review of literature and develop and refine a research problem/question that arises from gaps in knowledge on the literature, b) research project design: including writing research questions, aims and objectives, c) overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research techniques and careful consideration over which research method is appropriate to researching their topic and likely to generate data that will answer their research question, d) anticipation of potential ethical issues and moral dilemmas that might arise in research projects, securing appropriate levels of ethical clearance and developing strategies to manage ethical issues, e) techniques for analysing qualitative and quantitative data including the use of computer software packages, f) guidance around writing up the research proposal.

Lectures and practical exercises in workshops focus on:
• Searching for and writing summaries of literature, preparing a literature review, identifying gaps in literature – and justifying own research project
• Drafting research questions, aims and objectives, formulating research strategy and project design, developing instruments (e.g. questionnaire, interview guide, observation schedule)
• Identifying potential ethical and moral problems that might arise in an independent project and how to resolve, manage and mitigate such issues including support completing appropriate ethics form.
• Designing samples, recruitment and guidance around fieldwork: anticipating how to generate, source or access data
• Tuition around analysing quantitative and qualitative data (e.g. screen-cast lectures on SPSS and Nvivo with practical activities) and guidance around writing up data chapters

In preparation for each formal taught session, students will complete required readings, relevant to each week’s topic. Doing these readings will give students a deeper understanding of research design, research practice, analysing data.

Technologies such as padlet will be used so students can unpack ideas for their independent research projects, receive peer feedback on ideas in order to strengthen these ideas. Personal e-journals on blackboard will be used for recording weekly reflections and charting progress on design of research project during class. Students can revisit these journals when they write up their research proposal
Access to pre-recorded podcast materials demonstrating use of the library catalogue and online databases (e-journals, lexis-nexis) followed by practical exercises where students search for relevant material for their projects and where relevant, participate in library tours that support students to find specific books in main collection.

Participation in research methods ‘carousel’, auditory desert island discs, sensory ‘sniff’ activities and activities undertaken as part of a course trip to Manchester will give learners the chance to try out several research methods/techniques and reflect on the suitability of these methods/techniques for studying particular topics they are interested in.

Guest speakers including current L6 students will be invited to talk about their experiences of designing and carrying out a research projects and lead Q&A sessions with students
One academic support session devoted to guidance on assessment preparation, tutor-led trouble shooting
Online and face-to-face support and guidance for student’s ongoing research work on request (e.g. discussion forums on blackboard and face-to-face support in classrooms) and students will be encouraged to seek individual guidance from tutor where required.

Students will be given both informal feedback during leminars and written feedback on their coursework.

Bryman, A., (2012). Social Research Methods. Fourth edition. Oxford. Oxford University press
May, T., (2011). Social Research, Issues, Methods and Process. Fourth Edition. Buckingham. Open University Press
Corbetta, P., (2003). Social Research. Theory, Methods and Technique. Translated from the Italian – B Patrick. London. Sage
Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., McNaughton Nicholls, C., and Ormston, R., (2014). Qualitative Research Practice, A guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. London. Sage
Mason, J., (2018). Qualitative Researching. Third Edition. London. Sage.
Field, A., (2009). Discovering Statistics using SPSS: and sex, and drugs and rock n roll. Third Edition. London. Sage
Bell, J. (2010) Doing Your Research Project. Open University
Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press
Denscombe, M. (2010) The Good Research Guide. Maidenhead: Op. UP.
Gilbert, N. (2008) Researching Social Life. Second edition London: Sage.
Hammersley, M. (2011) Methodology: who needs it? Sage

A flat lecture/workshop, computer lab/room large enough for independent and group work and a projector for powerpoint presentations.

Computer lab with computers with Microsoft office, powerpoint and analysis software packages e.g. SPSS and Nvivo

The Blackboard VLE will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook

This module guides students through the stages of conceiving, designing and writing up their Level 6 dissertation research proposal.

Tuition on this module will focus on: a) how to conduct a thorough review of literature and develop and refine a research problem/question that arises from gaps in knowledge on the literature, b) research project design: including writing research questions, aims and objectives, c) overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research techniques and careful consideration over which research method is appropriate to researching their topic and likely to generate data that will answer their research question, d) anticipation of potential ethical issues and moral dilemmas that might arise in research projects, securing appropriate levels of ethical clearance and developing strategies to manage ethical issues, e) techniques for analysing qualitative and quantitative data including the use of computer software packages, f) guidance around writing up the research proposal.