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Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title Research Skills for Practice
Module Code NUR1115 (ITS: NS5013)
Faculty Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health School Science & Health
NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Description

This module is concerned with the skills required to conduct research and the theoretical underpinnings of different research approaches. It will advance knowledge and skills in the area of research in order to promote confidence and competence in undertaking a Masters level research study.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critique the principal research designs and their theoretical underpinnings.
2. Analyse and synthesise research literature
3. Debate ethical concerns in research.
4. Identify researchable questions from practice.
5. Plan and conduct a research interview


WorkloadFull time hours per semester
TypeHoursDescription
Lecture27No Description
Online activity12No Description
Directed learning50No Description
Independent Study161No Description
Total Workload: 250
Section Breakdown
CRN11291Part of TermSemester 1
Coursework0%Examination Weight0%
Grade Scale40PASSPass Both ElementsY
Resit CategoryRC1Best MarkN
Module Co-ordinatorModule Teacher
Assessment Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Completion of online activityOnline Activities (first 2 @ 2% each; last 3 online activities @ 4% each)16%n/a
EssayLiterature Review18%n/a
EssayResearch Proposal - first draft26%n/a
EssayResearch Proposal - final submission40%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

Research paradigms and associated designs
Exploration of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of the major research approaches and designs.

Key ethical issues in conducting research

Analysing and synthesising research literature
How to critique and report research literature. How to develop a research question.

Quantitative Research Skills
Survey designs and questionnaire development. Managing, analysing and reporting quantitative data.

Qualitative Research Skills
Research interviews and their transcription. Collecting, analysing and reporting qualitative data.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
  • Andersen, R.: 2008, Modern Methods for Robust Regression, Sage, Los Angeles,
  • Andres, L.: 2012, Designing and Doing Survey Research, Sage, London,
  • Bell, J.: 2010, Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education,, 5th. Edition, McGraw-Hill Open University Press, Maidenhead,
  • Birks, M.: 2011, Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide., Sage, Los Angeles,
  • Cannon, S.: 2010, Introduction to Nursing Research: Incorporating Evidence-Based Practice., Jones and Bartlett, Sudbury, MA.,
  • Charmaz, K.: 2007, The SAGE Handbook of Grounded Theory., Sage, London,
  • Denscombe, M.: 2010, Ground Rules for Social Research: Guidelines for Good Practice., 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Open University Press.,
  • Dillman, D.: 2007, Mail and Internet Surveys: The Tailored Design Method., 2nd. Edition, Sage, Hoboken, NJ.,
  • Hox, J.: 2010, Multilevel Analysis: Techniques and Applications., 2nd. Edition, Routledge. New York.,
  • Knoke, D. Yang, S.: 2009, Social Network Analysis, 2nd. Edition, Sage, Los Angeles.,
  • LoBiondo - Wood, G. Haber, J.: 2010, Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice, 7th. Edition, Mosby/Elsevier St. Louis, MO.,
  • Matthews, B.: 2010, Research Methods: A Practical Guide for the Social Sciences., Pearson Longman, New York.,
  • Mills, A. Durepos, G. Wiebe E.: 2010, Encyclopedia of Case Study Research, Sage Thousand Oaks, CA.,
  • Reed, P. Shearer, N. B. Crawford, P.: 2011, Nursing Knowledge and Theory Innovation: Advancing the Science of Practice., Springer. New York.,
  • Saris, W.: 2007, Design, Evaluation, and Analysis of Questionnaires for Survey Research., Wiley & Son, Hoboken, NJ,
  • Silverman, D.: 2006, Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analyzing Talk, Text, and Interaction., 3rd. Edition., Sage. Thousand Oaks, CA.,
  • Silverman, D.: 2010, Doing Qualitative Research: A Practical Handbook., 3rd. Edition., Sage. London.,
  • Silverman, D.: 2011, Interpreting Qualitative Data: A Guide to the Principles of Qualitative Research., 4th. Edition., Sage. Los Angeles.,
  • Treiman, D.: 2009, Quantitative Data Analysis: Doing Social Research to Test Ideas., Jossey-Bass. San Francisco.,
  • Yin, R.: 2012, Application of Case Study Research., 3rd., Sage. Thousand Oaks, CA.,
  • Willis, J.: 2007, Foundations of Qualitative Research: Interpretive and Critical Approaches., Sage. Thousand Oaks, CA.,
  • Wood, M. Kerr, J.: 2011, Basic Steps in Planning Nursing Research: From Question to Proposal., 7th., Jones and Bartlett Sudbury, MA.,


Articles:
None
Other Resources

None

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