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Educational Research Methods - EDU00029I

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  • Department: Education
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. David O'Reilly
  • Credit value: 30 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22
    • See module specification for other years: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module aims

The main aim of the module is to provide student with introductory level knowledge and skills of research methods in the social sciences. The research methods taught in this module will be applied to educational questions and contexts. This is essential for several reasons:

  • To develop further your research literacy skills so that students can read reports of educational research with more understanding and insight, and so that you are more able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of such research;
  • To help students develop knowledge and skills which are essential in a range of careers in education and in the social sciences more widely;
  • To help students to prepare for the Empirical Dissertation module which you will carry out research as part of your Year 3 programme in Educational Studies.

Module learning outcomes

After completing the module, students will:

  • Be familiar with a range of research strategies and methods, including both qualitative and quantitative methods;
  • Be able to use the common research techniques of questionnaires, interviews and observation.
  • Be aware of the strengths and limitations of each method of data collection;
  • Know how to analyse the data collected using each of aforementioned methods of data collection;
  • Have experience of using techniques for dealing with data;
  • Be aware of the characteristics of a good research report as a result of reading and analysing a number of reports of different research studies involving a range of research strategies and methods;
  • Have a clearer understanding of the characteristics of an ideal empirical dissertation;
  • Be able to plan a piece of research.

Academic and graduate skills

  • Students will develop their critical thinking, argumentation, and communication skills.
  • Specifically, students will engage in activities examining the relative strengths and weakness of different research paradigms, methods of data collection and methods of data analysis.
  • Further, students will complete a group research project and prepare a presentation based on that project to the whole group. As an additional skill, students will develop their IT skills by interacting fully with the VLE (Yorkshare).

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Research proposal		 N/A 34
Essay/coursework
Structured essay/ coursework (2500 words)		 N/A 33
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Group recorded presentation		 N/A 33

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Research proposal		 N/A 34
Essay/coursework
Structured essay/ coursework (2500 words)		 N/A 33
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Group recorded presentation		 N/A 33

Module feedback

In the Autumn term, students will receive feedback on a task designed to offer practice for the summative assessment.
In the Spring term, students will receive formative feedback on their group projects verbally during synchronous sessions, and through regular comments from the GTA on their group project work.

Individual written feedback will be provided by markers for all summative assessments. Formative tasks will be offered in all terms with opportunities for tutor and peer feedback. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.

Indicative reading

A wide range of reading is expected of students on the course. The keys texts for all terms are:

  • Babbie (2008). The basics of social research. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth
  • Bryman, A. (2008). Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press
  • Cohen, l., Manion, L., and Morrison, K. (2007). Research methods in education. London: Routledge


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.