Module: Dissertation 1 (Research Methods)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Dissertation 1 (Research Methods)
Module Code	ECE1009 (ITS: EC406)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Language, Literacy & ECE
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will introduce students to the methodologies and methods in researching with babies, toddlers and young children. It will prepare them to engage in their own research with young children, using mainly qualitative approaches. Students who wish to pursue research where a quantitative approach is required will be facilitated and supported accordingly. Studies involving babies, toddlers and young children will be examined and analysed with reference to key research constructs. The issues involved in flexible research design will be foregrounded. A range of research strategies will be explored, in particular action research and case study approaches.Strategies and methods from the quantitative paradigm will also be explored. Students will become familiar with the structure required for an academic research report. The importance of familiarity with the literature about a chosen topic will be emphasised, as will the importance of the research question. Ethical issues in early childhood research will receive considerable attention also.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the values and principles underlying high-quality research with babies, toddlers and young children
2. Describe the fundamental elements of a research project involving young children
3. Justify the use of particular methods in researching with/about babies, toddlers and young children
4. Identify potential topics for investigation in early education settings
5. Identify a good research question and write a clear well-structured proposal as to how that question will be explored
6. Assess the ethical issues arising in relation to a particular research investigation and complete a related research ethics protocol.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Assessment Feedback	36	No Description
Independent Study	65	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10331	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	100%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sinéad McNally	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Formal Examination	n/a	100%	End-of-Semester

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

1
• Reflecting on and improving practice in early education settings

2
• Looking at research studies involving young children: Why? Who? What? How?

3
• Principles of high-quality early childhood research

4
• Ethical considerations in researching with babies, toddles and young children

5
• Applying appropriate research methods for working with babies, toddlers and young children

6
• Designing a research study to be carried out in an early education setting

7
• Writing and refining the research proposal

8
• Completing an ethics research protocol

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Guerin, S., Hayes, N., & McNally, S.: 2018, Research and Evaluation in Community, Health and Social Care Settings Experiences from Practice, Routledge, 9781351390224
Walker, R. & Solvason, C.: 2014, Success with Your Early Years Research Project, Sage, 9781473913875
Mukherji, P. & Albon, D.: 2018, Research Methods in Early Childhood, 3rd, Los Angeles, Sage, 9781526423719
Roberts-Holmes, G.: 2018, Doing Your Early Years Research Project,, 2nd, Sage,

Articles:

Beauchamp, G. & Haughtoin, C.: 2012, Ethics in studying early years, In I. Palaiologou (Ed.) Ethical practice in early childhood (pp. 147-161). London, UK: Sage, 525542
2014: What is research with children and young people?, In A. Clark, R. Flewitt, M. Hammersley, & M. Robb, (Eds.) Understanding research with children and young people (pp. 34-49). London, UK: Sage, 525543, 1
Ethical research with children and vulnerable groups: In I. Palaiologou (Ed.) Ethical practice in early childhood (pp. 64-82). London, UK: Sage, 525544, 1, Stephenson, A.
In E. Johansson, & E. J. White (2011). Educational research with our youngest: Voices of infants and toddlers (pp. 135-156). London, UK: Springer: 525545, 2, Clark, A., Flewitt, R., Hammersley, M., & Robb, M., 0
525546: 2, Ellis, C. & Beauchamp, G., 2012, Ethics in researching children with special educational needs, In I. Palaiologou (Ed.) Ethical practice in early childhood (47-63). London, UK: Sage,
2: Flewitt, R., 2014, Interviews, In A. Clark, R. Flewitt, M. Hammersley, & M. Robb, (Eds.) Understanding research with children and young people (pp. 136-153). London, UK: Sage,
Montgomery, H.: 2014, Participant observation, In A. Clark R. Flewitt, M. Hammersley, & M. Robb, (Eds.) Understanding research with children and young people (pp. 122-135). London, UK: Sage,

Other Resources

None

The module is 100% exam assessed