SCI08013 2022 Research Methods

General Details

Full Title
Research Methods
Transcript Title
Research Methods
Code
SCI08013
Attendance
N/A %
Subject Area
SCI - Science
Department
LIFE - Life Sciences
Level
08 - NFQ Level 8
Credit
05 - 05 Credits
Duration
Semester
Fee
Start Term
2022 - Full Academic Year 2022-23
End Term
9999 - The End of Time
Author(s)
Yvonne Lang, Neville McClenaghan, Sarah Best, Colin Fowley
Programme Membership
SG_SAPPM_K08 202200 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Industrial Science (Add-On)
Description

This module is designed to support students acquiring knowledge and understanding of the academia/industry research environment and methods of dissemination and communication including core aspects of commonly employed qualitative and quantitative research methods; review and analysis of research reports, literature and data; project design, planning, and implementation; data acquisition and analysis; plus accurate and appropriate dissemination/reporting, and communication of outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module the learner will/should be able to;

1.

Describe relevant research processes, evidencing ability to differentiate and distinguish between appropriate application of qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

2.

Summarise, integrate, compare, and show evidence of critical analysis of relevant literature through generation of a literature review on a relevant topic.

3.

Identify appropriate methodologies for investigation of a question and articulate key components of an undergraduate project through development of a concise project proposal and more detailed plan of investigation.

4.

Recognise academic integrity including rules and regulations governing research, innovation, and ethics as it relates to academia/industry, demonstrating an appreciation of core aspects of intellectual property, the research landscape, and how research is supported and funded.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

A range of teaching and learning methods will be used to support delivery of this module which is strategically designed to meet the needs of  students preparing for their undergraduate project and broader engagement in applied research relevant to academia and industry. This will include tutorials augmented by independent and directed learning using the ATU VLE, a repository of educational resources and as a means of assessment. Agreement on a title and the scope/timelines of the project with feedback on the concise project proposal will help inform student preparation of the more detailed plan of investigation in preparation for undertaking the independent project work at a later stage.

Module Assessment Strategies

This module is assessed through a series of assignments requiring students to demonstrate knowledge of various research methodologies, demonstrate an ability to design an independent investigative project and generate a concise project proposal, demonstrate ability to critically evaluate literature and other material, and present a plan of investigation for an undergraduate project on an appropriate topic.

Repeat Assessments

The repeat assessment will require resubmission of continuous assessment work.

Indicative Syllabus

  • Academic research and data integrity.
  • Universal design for research.
  • Principles of effective research, including application of the scientific method.
  • Differentiate and distinguish between qualitative and quantitative research – Research Questions, Designs, and Methodologies.
  • Literature searching, the peer review process, and effective appraisal and critical analysis of relevant literature, data, and related information.
  • Moral and ethical standards and professional codes of conduct.
  • Principles of effective research and effective communication.
  • Intellectual Property and innovation.
  • Effective communication of project-related information in a range of formats for dissemination.

Coursework & Assessment Breakdown

Coursework & Continuous Assessment
100 %

Coursework Assessment

Title Type Form Percent Week Learning Outcomes Assessed
1 Continuous Assessment / Quizzes Coursework Assessment Assessment 10 % OnGoing 1,4
2 Concise Project Proposal Coursework Assessment Written Report/Essay 20 % Week 4 3
3 Project Literature Review Coursework Assessment Written Report/Essay 40 % Week 8 2
4 Project Plan of Investigation Coursework Assessment Written Report/Essay 30 % Week 11 3

Online Learning Mode Workload


Type Location Description Hours Frequency Avg Workload
Independent Learning Not Specified Independent Learning / Self-Study 5 Weekly 5.00
Tutorial Online Online Tutorial 0.5 Weekly 0.50
Total Online Learning Average Weekly Learner Contact Time 0.50 Hours

Required & Recommended Book List

Recommended Reading
2006 From Research to Manuscript Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 1402040458 ISBN-13 9781402040450

Demonstrating how to compose a scientific paper, this book describes not just what to do but why and how, explaining why each section of a science paper requires its particular form of information, and showing how to fit data and arguments into that form. It recognizes that experiments in different disciplines need different presentations.

Recommended Reading
2016-02-22 Research Methodology Springer
ISBN 9783319271675 ISBN-13 3319271679

This book is an in-depth guide to effective scientific research. Ranging from the philosophical to the practical, it explains at the outset what science can and cant achieve, and discusses its relationship to mathematics and laws. The author then pays extensive attention to the scientific method, including experimental design, verification, uncertainty and statistics. A major aim of the book is to help young scientists reflect upon the deeper aims of their work and make the best use of their talents in contributing to progress. To this end, it also includes sections on planning research, on presenting ones findings in writing, as well as on ethics and the responsibilities of scientists.

Recommended Reading
2008-04-14 Writing Your Thesis SAGE
ISBN 9781412946896 ISBN-13 1412946891

This new edition is designed to help graduate and research students with the process, preparation, writing, and examination of their theses. Many students are able to design their program of research and to collect the data, but they can find it more difficult to transform their data into a thesis.

Recommended Reading
2012-01-20 Developing Research Proposals SAGE
ISBN 9781446258392 ISBN-13 1446258394

Writing a research proposal is one of the most important tasks facing academics, researchers and postgraduate students. Yet there is a good deal of misinformation and a great lack of guidance about what constitutes a good research proposal and what can be done to maximise one's chances of writing a successful research proposal. Denicolo and Becker recognise the importance of developing an effective research proposal for gaining either a place on a research degree programme or funding to support research projects and set out to explore the main factors that that proposal writers need to attend to in developing successful proposals of their own. Developing Research Proposals will help readers to understand the context within which their proposal will be read, what the reviewers are looking for and will be influenced by, while also supporting the development of relevant skills through advice and practical activities. This book: Explores the nature and purpose of different kinds of proposals Focuses on the actual research proposed Discusses how best to carry out and structure the literature review Examines the posing and phrasing of research questions and hypotheses Looks at how methods and methodology should be handled in a proposal Discusses the crucial issues of planning, strategy and timing in developing targeted proposals Denicolo and Becker draw together the key elements in the process of preparing and submitting a proposal and concludes with advice on responding to the results, successful or not, and their relevance to future proposals. The Success in Research series, from Cindy Becker and Pam Denicolo, provides short, authoritative and accessible guides on key areas of professional and research development. Avoiding jargon and cutting to the chase of what you really need to know, these practical and supportive books cover a range of areas from presenting research to achieving impact, and from publishing journal articles to developing proposals. They are essential reading for any student or researcher interested in developing their skills and broadening their professional and methodological knowledge in an academic context.

Recommended Reading
2018-01-01 Doing a Literature Review SAGE
ISBN 9781526423122 ISBN-13 152642312X

The ultimate guide to the what, how and why of literature reviewing, the second edition of the classic text shows how the literature review will unlock the full potential of one's research with: A thorough exploration of the literature review process from start to finish Two brand new chapters explaining the different types of review and evidence and evaluation Extended examples that show you how to apply key techniques and procedures A new core skills framework to help you turn your research experience into employability A critical thinking focus that will help you construct convincing arguments and improve your research decisions In combining a critical, philosophical approach with an expertly selected body of practical examples, the Second Edition of Chris Hart's landmark text provides both the intellectual understanding and the technical skills required to produce sophisticated, robust literature reviews of the very highest standard. SAGE Study Skills are essential study guides for students of all levels. From how to write great essays and succeeding at university, to writing your undergraduate dissertation and doing postgraduate research, SAGE Study Skills help you get the best from your time at university. Visit the SAGE Study Skills hub for tips, resources and videos on study success!

Recommended Reading
2016-01-05 The Craft of Scientific Writing Springer
ISBN 1441982876 ISBN-13 9781441982872

The Craft of Scientific Writing is designed to help scientists and engineers- both professionals already active in the disciplines as well as students preparing to enter the professions- write about their work clearly and effectively. Written for use as a text in courses on scientific writing, the book includes many useful suggestions about approaching a wide variety of writing tasks from laboratory reports to grant proposals and from internal communications to press releases, as well as a concise guide to style and usage appropriate for scientific writing. The book will also be useful for self-study and it will be an important reference for all scientists and engineers who need to write about their work. With this new and updated edition, while most technical writing texts have gotten larger and larger over the years, this one is slimming down, to provide busy readers with the essence of what distinguishes the style of the best scientific documents. With this new edition, readers will learn not just how to organize information, but how to emphasize the key details of that information. Also, readers will not just learn how to cast their ideas into precise and clear sentences, but how to connect these sentences in an energetic fashion. In regard to the section on language, the new edition goes into more depth about how to make connections between ideas- an important issue that few technical writing texts address. Second, the new edition also explores more deeply about how to design illustrations so that they are more persuasive. Third, the new edition does a better job of explaining the purposes of different sections to a journal paper, such as literature review, methods, results, etc.

Recommended Reading
2007 Theories of Scientific Method Routledge
ISBN UOM:39015073641808

'Scientific Method' provides an examination of the major theories of scientific method and the demarcation of science. Exploring the distinction between discovery and justification, and the ideas of values, rules, and principles, it considers induction and its alternatives.

Module Resources

Non ISBN Literary Resources
Updated Literary Resources
Journal Resources
URL Resources
Other Resources

Relevant online and other resources as directed with due consideration given to UDL.

Additional Information