Module: Research Methods

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Methods
Module Code	CUS1019 (ITS: LC586)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	16	No Description
Assignment Completion	60	No Description
Independent Study	49	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10320	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Fiona Murphy	Module Teacher	Agnes Maillot, Martin Toal

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Development of a cogent and thorough research proposal for the dissertation	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None