Module: Extended Research Project

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Extended Research Project
Module Code	ES590 (ITS) / EDS1079 (Banner)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Human Development
Module Co-ordinator	Geraldine Scanlon
Module Teachers	Irene White, Majella Mcsharry
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	15
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

Coursework Only
There is no change for reassessment from the original assessment

Description

In the context of the increased importance of teacher and school based research, student teachers will design, implement and evaluate a significant piece of research related to their school placement and practice. In order to do so students will draw on the key components involved in their areas of study by critically examining theories and practices concerned with reflective practice, self-evaluation, self study and practioner research. This will lead them to be able to choose and defend a conceptual research approach. They will then design a research project that will include a research philosophy, instrument development and testing, data collection and analysis, literature review, ethical design and plan for dissemination. They will conduct a piece of research in collaboration with DCU staff but most importantly the school communities in which they are based. These will include – but not be limited to- critical engagements with colleagues such as cooperating teachers and subject department members as well as school leaders and the broad student population where appropriate.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse, interpret and explain the importance attached to teacher and school based research
2. Consult and collaborate with their school communities in identifying key research needs
3. Collaborate with colleagues in designing a research question
4. Place the research question within an appropriate conceptual framework
5. Critically analyse and interpret the literature pertinent to the chosen topic
6. Develop and pilot appropriate research instruments
7. Collect data using appropriate research methods
8. Carry out data analysis and elaborate defensible conclusions from the research
9. Present their findings and arguments in a manner that shows reflective thinking to their peers both in class and in the school community
10. Based on the work done critically evaluate the reality of conducing school based research and the potential importance of such research in quality assurance, school improvement and teacher professional development

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Development and Supervision of Project
Independent Study	24	Research Literature etc
Lecture	24	Supervision of Project
Independent Study	178	Research, Writing Project etc
Total Workload: 250

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

Contextual analysis of changing policies in school based teacher led research

Developing a research question in a collaborative mode with peers and colleagues

Research design from rationale to conclusion including literature review and the vital importance of ethical considerations

Drawing conclusions and integrating these into personal, professional and school development

Communicating results to the school community in an appropriate format

Evaluation of the process

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Extended Essay / Dissertation	The module will be assessed by a 7,500 word report on an extended research project framed as a dissertation. While on school placement the student teacher shall engage in research on their own practice that demonstrates the connection between the sites of practice (HEI and school). The student teacher shall discuss their research plans with the Treorai (guide teachers) as they have overall responsibility for the class. This research project offers the student teacher the chance to investigate and learn from their practice and derive ideas and conclusions that enrich and advance their understanding of their practice and enhance their teaching.	100%	Sem 2 End

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 1

Indicative Reading List

Elaine Wilson: 2012, School-based Research: A Guide for Education Students, 2nd, Sage, 144624749X
Judith Bell: 2010, Doing your research project, Open University Press / McGraw Hill, Maidenhead, 0335235824
Louis Cohen, Lawrence Manion, Keith Morrison,: 2011, Research Methods in Education, Routledge, 0415583365
John W. Creswell: 2002, Research design, Sage, 0761924426
Dr. John W. Creswell (Editor), Dr. Vicki L. Plano Clark (Editor): 2011, Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, Sage, 1412975174
Jennifer C. Greene: 2007, Mixed methods in social inquiry, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, Calif., 0787983829
James McKernan: 1996, Curriculum action research, Kogan Page, London, 0749417935
David Silverman,: 2011, Interpreting Qualitative Data, Sage, 0857024213
Dan W. Butin,: 2009, The Education Dissertation, Corwin, 1412960444
Loughran., J, Hamilton., M, La Boskey., M & Russell. T.: 2004, International Handbook of Self-Study of Teaching and Teacher Education Practices, Springer, The Netherlands,

Other Resources

53304, Website, The Teaching Council, 2014, Teaching Council, http://www.teachingcouncil.ie/, 53305, Website, NCCA, 2014, NCCA Junior Cycle, http://www.ncca.ie/en/Curriculum_and_Assessment/Post-Primary_Education/Junior_Cy cle/, 53306, Website, DCU, 2014, EBSCO Education Complete Database, http://www.dcu.ie/~library/resources/databases.shtml#p, 53307, Website, Teaching Council/NCCA/ CES, 2014, Research alive conference and resources, http://ncca.ie/en/Conference/Research-Alive.html, 53308, Website, Department of Education and Skills Inspectorate, 2014, School Self Evaluation Resources, http://www.education.ie/en/,