Module: Research Methods

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Methods
Module Code	EDU1155 (ITS: SI801)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Inclusive & Special Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	15

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide participants with a critical appreciation of methodological approaches in educational research. The module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to: - Appreciate the strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative methods and their role within educational research. - Interpret and critically evaluate the use of qualitative and quantitative methods as found in published educational research. - Grasp the key concepts and processes that underpin qualitative and quantitative research. - Collect, analyse and report the findings from a small-scale study drawing on data from either qualitative or quantitative research approaches. This module is designed for those who have little or no practical experience of conducting research and who have no scientific or mathematical background.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulate the epistemological and ontological underpinnings of qualitative and quantitative research.
2. Demonstrate systematic understanding of the methodologies relevant to research in education.
3. Demonstrate understanding of, and competence in, the techniques of data generation and analysis associated with qualitative and quantitative research approaches, e.g., survey, questionnaire, interviewing, participant observation, structured observation, documentary analysis, field-notes, reflective journal writing.
4. Articulate and appreciate the different emphases evident between, for example, ethnographic, participatory and action research approaches, or between different forms of experimental design.
5. Analyse and critique examples of quantitative and qualitative research in education.
6. Demonstrate understanding of the ethical issues associated with carrying out educational research, synthesising input from across a range of ethical frameworks.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	75	Lectures, Tutorials / Workshops
Independent Study	300	Reading, implementation of content at work, analysis and reflection on module content
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	10840	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	PASS/FAIL	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Neil Kenny	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Complete 5000 words written assignment to: - demonstrate understanding of educational research based on: the design, administration, analysis and interpretation of either an interview or survey/questionnaire; presentation and discussion of data.	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

Indicative Content
- The nature of qualitative research; - Why qualitative research; - Doing qualitative research: basic concepts; - Identifying research questions; - Access/time/participants/field relations; - The ethnographic interview; - Observation; - Evaluation study; - Action research: its emphasis and contribution; - Single case study and single subject research designs; - The use of structured observations in the collection of data in a research context; - Data exploration and analysis; - Literature Review: issues and concerns; - Conducting and writing literature reviews; - Writing, and, applications of qualitative research: audience; - Introduction to empirical research; - The structure of research papers/projects; - Quantitative Research Methods and Strategies; - Formulating research questions; - Sampling, measurement, and quality assurance in data collection; - Use of SPSS for coding and statistical operations; - Analysis and presentation of quantitative data; - Formulating conclusions and recommendations; - Ethical issues.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None