Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description What constitutes a "good" research question? How do we measure the concepts that interest us? This ten-credit modules gives an advanced introduction to the fundamentals of research and research design. It is suitable for those who have completed substantive research methods modules at level 9. It is seminar based and involves reading and contributing in advance of each seminar. It will examine key concepts in understanding the fundamentals of inquiry and research methods and on issues relating to the generalizability of results. These issues will be explored through the detailed reading of important studies. The second part of the course will consist of seminars on specific research methods relating to research in the School of Communications and will be delivered by subject matter experts. You will develop the knowledge to structure advanced PhD level research, prepare for the collection and analysis of research data; and discuss and critique research methodologies. The seminar will be held in half-day sessions monthly over the academic year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Understand and apply the logic of scientific reasoning and inference 2. Evaluate the principal methodological designs in the study of communication. 3. Critically analyse existing research on the basis of the research methods employed. 4. Specify appropriate research questions and construct effective research design strategies to answer these questions. 5. Evaluate and critically assess qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods 6. Critique the application of research methods in existing studies using appropriate oral and written communication | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Seminar Structure Six Seminars including The Fundamentals of Inquiry; The Fundamentals of Research Design; The Fundamentals of Praxis; Research Presentations; Participant and Case Selection; and Ethics are obligatory for all students. Students must then choose 2/3 of The Fundamentals of Interviewing; Undertaking Content Analysis and Ethnography/Virtual Ethnography. The Fundamentals of Inquiry What is scientific inquiry? How do we know what we know? The Fundamentals of Research Design How to design a research project and specifically consider the architecture of research design. This topic looks at the critical decisions to ensure all decisions are in line with the overall project characteristics and so methodologically justified. Oversimplified one-dimensional divisions e.g. between qualitative and quantitative design as opposites, between analysing words or numbers, drawing on big or small N etc. are addressed to introduce more constructive and flexible multidimensional distinctions than can be applied as guidelines in research practice The Fundamentals of Praxis In praxis research we think about theory in action. How do we justify the rationale for practice-based approaches, documenting (especially multi-part or disparate) artefacts. Research Presentations Opportunity for first presentations Participant and Case Selection What are the basic elements related to the selection of participants or cases that we need to consider? The Fundamentals of Interviewing Understanding and methodologically deciding and justifying the case for a wide variety of interviews in research, including Structured interviews; Semi-structured interviews; Unstructured interviews and Focus groups. Undertaking Content Analysis An introduction to the many various forms of content analysis we can undertake with texts, images and artifacts Ethnography/Virtual Ethnography The study of human (online) communication textual or multimedia Research Ethics What are our ethical and legal obligations as researchers, and how do we design research strategies where we need REC approval? This topic extends available training on Research Ethics in the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, to include procedures and planning for higher-risk contexts and best practices for multi-phased research stages involving human participants and/or their data. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
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