RSCH09030 2020 Research Methods

Critically evaluate existing knowledge and its application to the student's chosen research area.

Develop a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, generally informed by the forefront of research in their chosen area.

Analyse paradigms of research enquiry and explicate where chosen paradigms fit within their research area of interest.

Expertly identify, discuss and propose a range of data collection and analysis tools and techniques relevant to their study.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of appropriate project management skills to ensure successful completion of level 9 research project.

Communicate effectively their research outcomes.

This module will consist of lectures supported by tutorials/design classes, and learning through group and individual projects to further develop expertise in topics.

The lectures will be recorded and made available to the learners through Moodle. Workshops will also be used to bring online learners together for special lectures or design workshops.
 

This module is 100% continuous assessment. The continuous assessment is by individual assignments. During the semester, students will have to present on their ideas and plan for the development of proposal and project. This will be developed into a robust proposal for submission at the end of the semester.

The learner must pass the continuous assessment.

Where a learner fails the continuous assessment they will be required to resubmit the assignment(s) again for assessment.

The indicative syllabus may include:

1. Learners exploring different sources of evidence and its relevance and application to a research topic. Resulting in the identification of a research area that becomes the foundation of their research project.
2. Learners engaging with and critically reviewing sources of knowledge inclusive of appropriate databases, journals, conferences, government documents and other relevant evidence sources. This will support the learner to develop new insights and identify potential research areas for further investigation.
3. Learners having the opportunity to discuss, examine and debate, common and often used methods of research enquiry, evaluating when and where these paradigms, methodologies may be relevant to their future research studies, thus enabling them to select and apply appropriate research strategies.
4. Learners being given the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding in tools of data collection and data analysis. Research methods will be explored and their potential to given research projects examined, allowing the learner to consider the use of a variety of research tools in their research activities. This may involve attendance at additional workshops on data collection and data analysis techniques, relative to the learner's level of research experience and expertise.
5. Learners being expected to explore ethical dilemmas relevant to their proposed research topic, in doing so they are expected to develop appropriate strategies and documentation to deal with potential ethical dilemmas.
6. Learners encouraged in the acquisition and demonstration of project management skills in the area of research, inclusive of all stages of the research process, but also the associated project management tools of successful project completion. This will include but is not limited to, project timelines, work packages, tasks and deliverables with the intention of supporting the student not only with the proposal and projects but also for their research activities into the future.
7. Learners being engaged in skills to report research, write a research proposal and give research presentations.