What will I learn on this module?
You will learn about the foundations (research theories), advantages and limitations of a range of advanced standard social science research methodologies. You will thus be in a better position to design a research strategy and operationalise this, particularly for your research project assessment, but also for future employment in knowledge societies and research-rich or informed careers and professions. You will also be better prepared to scrutinise other people’s / organisations’ research, and evaluate to what extent it is appropriate, robust and meaningful – particularly the connection between research objectives, questions and methods and interpretation of findings.
Research methods covered will include a range of methods and techniques to explore issues in disaster and development studies, and global development from a human / societal / social processes / organisations / communities perspective. Particular attention will be devoted to evidence-based policy making and “wicked issues”. “Natural” environmental processes will be within the scope of the module as far as a social science-based exploration of “produced nature” is fruitful and necessary.
Topics can include, but are not limited to: Approaching Research Methods, Designing Your Research Process, Ethics and Risk Assessment, Fieldwork Research Issues, Stakeholder issues, Case study research or Participatory methods.
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars and workshops, directed learning tasks and independent learning, which will be supported also by facilitation of peer-learning processes.
Lectures introduce and develop key concepts providing a framework for your learning about what core advanced types of research methods are commonly used, why, and in which ways for what purposes.
Seminars and workshops are designed to allow you to explore these issues around types of research methods and cluster of techniques in greater depth, including with a peer-learning element. They involve interactive discussion with both tutors and peers, enabling further development of topics introduced in lectures.
Directed learning tasks will be set to allow you to explore the range of research methods in their appropriate selection, applicability and operational use, with key readings provided which will be both theoretical / conceptual but also on research process and operational / applied aspects and examples.
Independent learning is necessary and facilitated by you exploring in more depth specific (combinations of) research methods for the kinds of research questions that are most relevant to your field of advanced investigation, including the assessed Research Project. You are encouraged and should make use of the relevant Departmental (or other such appropriate ones across the University) Research Seminars to hear from researchers and research-active or commissioning or reflective practitioners.
We will provide you with some tailored material, to expand on core textbooks and key readings captured on the interactive reading list, via the University’s eLP, direct you to on-line resources and for independent learning you will become a regular user of the University Library’s academic search engine.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
You will get support both from the Module Tutor and the Session Tutors. Within the more interactive teaching sessions such as seminars or workshops students can obtain formative support /feedback, both from tutors and peers. There is an electronic repository of previous (anonymised) sample assignments by students with an indicative grade range indicated, compiled and made accessible on the eLP.
Generally speaking we have an open door (both in-person and virtual) policy, though staff are not always available on the spot for a number of reasons (including off-campus work commitments), but we have a clear culture and Departmental policy ensuring good and timely responsiveness to e-mail communication received from students.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO 1: Critically evaluate research methodologies in terms of their foundations
• MLO 2: Critically review and assess the selection and application of research methods in a chosen focus field
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO 3: Identify and justify a feasible and appropriate research topic
• MLO 4: Critically evaluate and plan for the appropriate selection and application of research methods and techniques for a chose area
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MLO 5: Identify ethical issues within your focussed research area, and assess your own positionality vis-à-vis the proposed research project.
How will I be assessed?
Summative Assessment:
1,500 word Essay
Weighted 40 % of module mark
Critical evaluation Essay on research method selection and fundamental pillars of understanding.
This is so that you can demonstrate that you have developed and acquired a critical understanding of the foundations (epistemology) and process of research.
MLOs 1, 2 and 5
Group presentation of a Research Project Proposal
Weighted 60% of module mark.
This assessment will ask you to identify an appropriately focussed, scaled and subject-relevant Research Project Proposal. It will ask you to specify and justify – based on a Literature Review – an appropriate project, key research questions, and methodologies and techniques to answer your research questions and overall aims to the best effect. It will also ask you to explore and assess which ethical issues are bound up with this research focus, approach and methods.
MLOs 3, 4, 5
Formative assessment/support processes
There will be an opportunity for you to submit a plan for the proposal to help you to frame this appropriately prior to the final submission.
You will be able to access electronically past (anonymised) student assignments for this with an indicated mark category.
There will be interactive discussion with staff in seminars and workshops where you can float ideas or obtain formative feedback on thinking processes and assignment tackling strategies you and your peers are developing.
Module abstract
You will learn and gain experience in designing, carrying out, evaluating and commissioning research, which includes learning about different approaches to research, and their benefits and limitations. This equips you to design and operationalise a research strategy as well as to scrutinise approaches employed in other research. Through lectures, seminars, workshops, directed and independent learning you understand research methodologies and the research process, engage with subject content based on research methodologies and their applications, actively discussing research strategies, methods and critically reviewing outputs in an interactive manner. A critical essay on research methods and a group Project Proposal are the assessment. Electronic resources/learning environments, peer communication and access to past assignments help you.
