Module: Research Methods

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Research Methods
Module Code	CM570 (ITS) / MCO1053 (Banner)
Faculty	Humanities & Social Sciences	School	Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Mark O'Brien
Module Teachers	Aileen O'Driscoll, Alessio Cornia, Dónal Mulligan, Eileen Culloty, Jane Suiter, Padraig Murphy
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
Reassessment will be based on submitting the same coursework requirements as for the course

Description

This ten-credit module provides an introduction to research and research design. The overall aim is to provide foundational understanding that will inform the development of a research proposal for an MA thesis/dissertation. The lectures will examine key concepts underpinning academic research, major approaches to research design and methodology, and issues effecting the reliability or generalisability of research results. As far as possible, these topics will be explored through case studies of research in areas relevant to your MA programmes. Seminars and coursework will provide an opportunity to workshop the development of a research proposal. You will develop the skills and knowledge to formulate research questions, search and evaluate scholarly literature, design a research study, and prepare for the collection and analysis of research data.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the principal methodological approaches to the study of mass communication.
2. Discuss critically the strengths and weaknesses of particular research methods as applied in published studies.
3. Evaluate published research
4. Compare and contrast qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method methods;
5. Prepare and present a research project outline, with particular attention to information sources and the clear statement of research questions.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	15	Details at lectures and/or on Moodle
Workshop	15	No Description
Independent Study	218	Details at lectures and/or on Moodle
Total Workload: 248

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction

Research Foundations I

Research Foundations II

Research Design I

Research Design II

Quantitative Data I

Quantitative Data II

Qualitative Data I

Qualitative Data II

Reporting Results

Research Ethics

Research Proposals

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Report(s)	Research proposal	70%	n/a
Assignment	Preliminary research proposal	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category -

Indicative Reading List

http://methods.sagepub.com.dcu.idm.oclc.org/: 0, Sage Research Methods,
J. Biggam: 2008, Succeeding with your Master's Dissertation, OUP,
M. Denscombe: 2010, The Good Research Guide, OUP,
I. Furseth &E. Everett: 2013, Doing Your Masters Dissertation, Sage,
C. Hart: 2005, Doing Your Masters Dissertation, Sage,
D. Gray: 2009, Doing Research in the Real World, Sage,
G. Thomas: 2013, How to do Your Research Project, Sage,
R. Kumar: 2013, Research Methodology, Sage,
M. Schreier: 2012, Qualitative Content Analysis in Practice, Sage,
P. D'Angelo & J. Kuypers: 2010, Doing News Framing Analysis, Routledge,

Other Resources

None