Module: Research Methods

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Methods
Module Code	MCO1015 (ITS: CM5700)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This five-credit module provides an introduction to research and research design. The overall aim is to provide foundational understanding that will inform the development of a research proposal for an MA thesis/dissertation. The lectures will examine key concepts underpinning academic research, major approaches to research design and methodology, and issues effecting the reliability or generalisability of research results. As far as possible, these topics will be explored through case studies of research in areas relevant to your MA programmes. Seminars and coursework will provide an opportunity to workshop the development of a research proposal. You will develop the skills and knowledge to formulate research questions, search and evaluate scholarly literature, design a research study, and prepare for the collection and analysis of research data.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the principal methodological approaches to the study of mass communication.
2. Discuss critically the strengths and weaknesses of particular research methods as applied in published studies.
3. Select reliable information sources, including principal archival repositories and on-line journals.
4. Prepare and present a research project outline, with particular attention to information sources and the clear statement of research questions.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Details at lectures and/or on Moodle
Seminars	10	Details on Moodle
Independent Study	93	Reading
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	10870	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Jim Rogers	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Research Proposal	70%	n/a
Assignment	Preliminary research proposal	30%	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

Introduction

Research Foundations I

Research Foundations II

Research Design I

Research Design II

Quantitative Data I

Quantitative Data II

Qualitative Data I

Qualitative Data II

Reporting Results

Research Ethics

Research Proposals

Indicative Reading List

Books:

J. Biggam: 2008, Succeeding with your Master's Dissertation, OUP,
M. Denscombe: 2010, The Good Research Guide, OUP,
I. Furseth &E. Everett: 2013, Doing Your Masters Dissertation, Sage,
C. Hart: 2005, Doing Your Masters Dissertation, Sage,
D. Gray: 2009, Doing Research in the Real World, Sage,
G. Thomas: 2013, How to do Your Research Project, Sage,
R. Kumar: 2013, Research Methodology, Sage,
M. Schreier: 2012, Qualitative Content Analysis in Practice, Sage,
P. D'Angelo & J. Kuypers: 2010, Doing News Framing Analysis, Routledge,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None