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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2022 - 2023

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 9 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Description

The module aims to prepare you for the construction of a dissertation at masters degree level. You will be introduced to research methodologies and paradigms, and issues around quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, analysis and debates around ethics, validity and rigour. You will learn how to conduct a literature review. The teaching approach taken will include lectures, small group work, workshops and presentations.

Learning Outcomes

1. Construct a research proposal.
2. Critically engage with theory and literature in a chosen field of research
3. Compare and contrast philosophical and methodological approaches to research
4. Describe various research methods
5. Justify approach to the selection of participants.
6. Discuss the role of rigour, validity and ethics in research



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture25No Description
Independent Study100No Description
Assignment Completion125No Description
Total Workload: 250

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.

Methodologies.

Literature Review.

Data Collection Methods.

Fieldwork.

Ethics.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

  • Kemmis, Stephen, et al.: 2014, The action research planner: doing critical participatory action research, Singapore: Springer,,
  • McNiff, Jean,: 2014, Writing and doing action research, Los Angeles: SAGE,
  • Wolcott, Harry F.: 2008, Ethnography -a way of seeing, Lanham, MD: Altamira Press,
  • De Vaus, D. A: 2011, Research design in social research, London: SAGE,,
  • Costley, Carol,: 2010, Doing work based research: approaches to enquiry for insider-researchers, Los Angeles; London: SAGE,
  • Robson, Colin.,: 2016, Real world research: a resource for users of social research methods in applied settings, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley,
  • Gray, David E: 2009, Doing research in the real world, London: SAGE,
  • Yin, Robert K: 2014, Case study research: design and methods, Los Angeles: SAGE,
  • Creswell, John W; Plano Clark, Vicki L: 2011, Designing and conducting mixed methods research, Los Angeles: SAGE Publications,
  • Taber, Keith: 2013, Classroom-based research and evidence-based practice, SAGE,
  • Baumfield, V., Hall, E., Wall, K.: 2012, Action research in education : learning through practitioner enquiry, SAGE,
  • Lambert, M.: 2012, A beginner's guide to doing your education research project, SAGE,
  • Marshall, J.: 2016, First person action research : living life as inquiry, SAGE,
  • Bochner, A.: 2016, Evocative autoethnography : writing lives and telling stories, Routledge,
  • Ravitch, S.M. and Riggan, M.: 2016, Reason & Rigor: How Conceptual Frameworks Guide Research, SAGE,
  • Crotty, M.: 2014, The foundations of social research : meaning and perspective in the research, SAGE,
Other Resources

None
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