Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module will introduce the field of research in education. It will aim to develop student understanding of
• the historical development of research and variations in 'what counts as educational research'.
• the relationship of research in education to practice, policy and the social sciences
• possible research methodologies
• Through an integrated approach to developing research practices, it is intended that students develop practical understanding and skills relating to research:
• planning research
• ethical practices
• some frequently used research methods
• reading the results of other researchers’ work
By the end of this module students will be expected to understand the characteristics of research in education in the current UK context, together with some awareness of international and
historic variation. Within this context, they will be able both to understand the research of others and to demonstrate some research practices themselves.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module aims to develop both theoretical and practical understanding of research in education. Students’ understanding of the characteristics of research in education in the current UK context will be developed through learning about the research methodologies of others and through experiencing some research practices themselves. These practical sessions will develop from opportunities to trial methods of data collection and analysis on each other towards planning and conducting an enquiry as part of a small group. The lecture and practical sessions will run in parallel to facilitate the integration of practical and theoretical learning, enabling students to make connections and develop understanding. The module begins with an introduction to educational research. The module the history of education research, Research Strategies, Interviews, Qualitative data analysis, Quantitative data analysis, SPSS, Questionnaires, Observations, Visual methods, Ethics, Documentary research, validity, reliability, triangulation, preparation for the critique of an empirical journal article (written exercise) and assessment guidance for the research project.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

To build on:
• knowledge from EDU1001 about the nature and range of education to understand how policies and practices intersect with research (A3, A4)

To develop:
• knowledge of the historical and national contexts of research in education (A2)
• knowledge of possible research methodologies and practices (A3)
• understanding of theoretical foundations and practical requirements of research in education
• ability to evaluate published research using knowledge of context, methodology and methods (B4, B5)
• understanding of basic analysis methods for qualitative and quantitative data
• ability to undertake a personal inquiry relating to an aspect of education, appropriately relating aims and methods to the research question and the context of its asking (A1, B6)

Intended Skill Outcomes

To develop
• ability to read and understand research undertaken by others using a range of methodologies (B1, B4, C1, C3)
• skill in basic analysis methods for qualitative and quantitative data (D5)
• planning skills to plan an empirical study through formulating a research question and applying appropriate methods of data collection and analysis (B3, D6)
• skills to conduct a piece of empirical research, analyse data and present findings (D2, D3, D4)
• general organisation and planning skills (D7)
• communication skills to enable effective communication through with written work and oral presentation (B2, C5, C6, D1, D8)
• collaborative skills in research and dissemination (B2, B6)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module aims to develop both theoretical and practical understanding of research in education. Students’ understanding of research in education in the current UK context will be developed through learning about the research methodologies of others and through experiencing some research practices themselves. The lecture and practical sessions will run in parallel and be backed up with time for both independent study and further reading/research as directed during sessions. This will facilitate the integration of practical and theoretical learning, enabling students to make connections and develop a sophisticated understanding. The practical sessions will develop from opportunities to trial methods of data collection and analysis on each other towards planning and conducting an enquiry as part of a small group. This will facilitate the development of particular research and scholarship skills but also their integration into a more holistic understanding of the nature of research in education.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The intention is for the summative assessment to assess the student’s ability to both do research and to understand the research of others. To enable students to fully analyse and discuss empirical data - the weighting is 60% for the mini-research project - reflecting a greater word length of 2,500 words. To reflect the shorter word count of 1500 words for the written exercise - a weighting of 40% is given.

General Notes

N/A