Modules

The four taught modules are completed in the first year of study through attending full day sessions on 13 Saturdays. You would then progress to the research phase. Educational Research Theory and Methodology This module provides the theoretical, methodological and conceptual foundation for doctoral level study in educational research. It aims to enable the student to apply this knowledge to critically evaluate the methodological basis of research practices and anticipates the formulation of research questions, outcomes and design for the generation of new knowledge in an area of professional practice as well as its evaluation. Developing Research Proposals in Educational Enquiry The module applies the critical understanding developed through the study of the conceptual foundations of research, the principles of design and the evaluation of data collection and analysis techniques to the process of developing a proposal suitable for doctoral level research. Students with the support of action learning sets and a designated supervisor will design, and refine their ideas in order to present a coherent research proposal in a format suitable for submission for approval and scientific review appropriate to the requirements of a professional doctorate in their field. In addition workshops will consider the real world challenges of undertaking ethical research and the standards required for professional research practice. Evaluating Research Fields and Designs This module is designed to develop students’ critical appreciation of a specific field of research related to their intended research topic, and to enhance their capacity to evaluate a range of forms of research design. The module will review the traditional evaluative criteria of validity, reliability and representativeness, as well as criteria more specifically suited to the evaluation of qualitative research, such as authenticity and verisimilitude. The applicability of these criteria will be assessed in relation to range of types of design (e.g. Survey-based research; quasi-experimental and action research; ethnographic and phenomenological research; narrative research; critical, critical feminist and critical race research approaches). Specific literatures and research studies will be evaluated in the light of students’ choice of perspective. Data Collection and Analysis This module builds upon the understanding of the conceptual foundations of educational research, and on the analysis of research designs, gained in previous modules, and provides an opportunity to acquire and apply techniques of data collection and analysis. The module will address the practical as well as theoretical aspects of data collection and analysis, and provide in-depth experience of the application of relevant computer techniques. There will be an exploration of the range of possibilities in data gathering appropriate to particular types of research question. Following completion of the final module your work will be dedicated to completing a thesis that should not normally exceed 50,000 words, under the guidance of two research supervisors, involving analysis of data, writing up and a viva voce examination. Research degrees are also available in this area. A Master's course is 180 Master's level credits, which would normally take one calendar year full-time study. Interim awards are available at Postgraduate Certificate level or Postgraduate Diploma level should you decide to exit the course early.