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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Research Methods
Module Code LC586 (ITS) / CUS1019 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School SALIS
Module Co-ordinatorFiona Murphy
Module TeachersAgnes Maillot, Jennifer Bruen, Martin Toal
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
100% assignment
Description

This module will provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct a research project, such as a Masters dissertation. It will introduce them to a variety of research methods and examine the suitability of different methods for specific research questions.

Learning Outcomes

1. Design a dissertation research project
2. Formulate a workable research question and, where appropriate a research hypothesis, which is framed within a specific context
3. Operationalise relevant key concepts in a way which demonstrates a critical awareness of the challenges associated with this process
4. Conduct a rigorous literature review relevant to the research concern
5. Choose a research approach which is appropriate to the research question
6. Critically reflect on the research process, including their own position in relation to the study
7. Design and apply specific data collection methods and tools which are in line with the chosen methodology
8. Analyse collected data in a rigorous and transparent fashion
9. Display an awareness of the ethical issues associated with conducting research
10. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Seminars16No Description
Assignment Completion60No Description
Independent Study49No Description
Total Workload: 125

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

Formulating a research question

Carrying out a literature review

Grounded theory

Quantitative and qualitative methods

Critical discourse analysis

Doing research with vulnerable populations. Ethical and practical considerations

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentDevelopment of a cogent and thorough research proposal for the dissertation100%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 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Creswell, J.: 1998, Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Traditions, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA,
  • Denzin, N.K. and Lincoln Y.S: 2005, The handbook of qualitative research, 3rd, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA,
  • Kane, E. and O’Reilly-De Brún, M.: 2001, Doing your own research, Marion Goyas, London,
  • Blank, G., Fielding, N and Lee, R.M. (eds): 2017, The SAGE handbook of online research methods, Sage, Los Angeles,
  • Mauthner, M.: 0, Ethics in qualitative research, 2002, Sage, London,
  • Seale, C.: 2007, Qualitative research practice, Sage, London,
  • Teddlie, C. and Tashakkori, A.: 2009, , Foundations of mixed methods research: integrating quantitative and qualitative techniques in the social and behavioral sciences, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA,
  • Gillham, B.: 2007, Developing a questionnaire, 2007, Continuum, New York,
  • Burnett, J: 2009, Doing your Social Sciences Dissertation, Sage, London,
  • Chong Ho Shon, P.: 0, How to read journal articles in the social sciences: A very practical guide, 2015, Sage, London,
  • Fischer, N.L. and Seidman, S. (eds): 2016, Introducing the New Sexuality Studies, 3rd, Routledge, London,
  • Riggs, E., Block, K. and Haslam, N. (eds): 2013, Values and vulnerabilities: the ethics of research with refugees and asylum seekers, 2013, Australian Academic Press, Toowong,
Other Resources

None

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