Research Methods

Further information

For further details about this course and to apply please contact the Module Leader:

Tim Goodchild   t.goodchilducs.ac.uk|

Brian Pereira  b.pereiraucs.ac.uk| 

Dates

7 study days, starting October 2011:

  • Tuesday 4 October 2011
  • Wednesday 5 October 2011
  • Tuesday 25 October 2011 
  • Wednesday 26 October 2011
  • Tuesday 15 November 2011
  • Wednesday 16 November 2011
  • Friday 2 December 2011

Student Hours

200 total student hours:

  • 24 hours face-to-face
  • 42 hours on-line study
  • 134 hours self directed study

Rationale

This module aims to provide an overview of research methodologies and methods that are used to investigate the behavioural, social and biomedical sciences relevant to health, social care and education. The module will draw heavily on published research, its analysis and interpretation, enabling students to critically examine the various research methods used in professional practice. Within health, social care and education contexts a number of research paradigms exist; however, the boundaries between them are becoming more fluid. Given the complexity of these various professional and service contexts, it is not possible to position research methods in a hierarchy of excellence, as different methods are appropriate for addressing different research questions. The students will be encouraged to describe phenomena and explanatory concepts and theories as part of a rigorous process of enquiry and debate the social and political impact of research carried out in the educational, health and social care contexts. This module requires students, therefore, to examine a range of different paradigms and explore their relative usefulness in a range of different contexts.

Aims of the module

 
  • To develop a critical capacity in the students with respect to the articulation of the philosophical underpinnings of research methodologies and select and develop appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • To develop in the students a critical respect for the diversity of research methodologies and analyses found in the field of health, social care and education ranging from the social sciences to the biomedical and physical sciences
  • To prepare students to participate in designing and carrying out research projects which cross-traditional professional boundaries

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module the students will be able to:

  • Appreciate a wide range of methodological approaches and understand their application to particular research problems
  • Lucidly articulate the philosophical underpinnings of the various research methodologies
  • Utilise research skills to critically appraise the value of published research.
  • Critically appraise the ethical and political dimension of the research process.
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate research findings accurately to a critical audience both verbally and in writing

Assessment

Assessment type

Comments (including word count or duration)

Weighting (%)

Essay

4000 words

100



 

 

Key facts

Module code:
IPGCPRM04

Level of study: 7

Year: Second year

Mandatory or optional module: Mandatory

Location: Ipswich

Prerequisites for this module: None

Professional applicability: A, B, C, D, E, G 

DARZI category: 9

Darzi Category and Professional Applicability Coding|

Students already registered on a diploma or degree course are advised to make their course leader aware that they plan to undertake this module.