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What will I learn on this module?
You will learn about the foundations (research theories), benefits / advantages and limits /drawbacks 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 Masters Dissertation or Project, but also for future graduate 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 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 both qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques to explore issues in disaster and development studies, and health, safety and environment 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.
Key topics/themes/issues covered include: Approaching Research Methods, Designing Your Research Process, Ethics and Risk Assessment, Fieldwork Research Issues, Consultancy / Stakeholder issues and Ethics in research, Case study research, Qualitative / Institutional Research Methods and Analysis, Quantitative Research Methods and (spatial and thematic) Data Analysis, Development Fieldwork through Interviewing, Participatory methods, Survey research, qualitative versus quantitative research and its applications, mixed methods research, research analysis and communication (writing-up and for of presentation).
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 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.
Workshops are designed to explore the operational use of some of the key advanced research methods, some of which are IT-based.
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. We will set up support groups via an eLP discussion board.
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 Proposal for your Masters Dissertation / Research Project. We will encourage the development of peer reading groups. You are encouraged and should make use of the relevant Departmental (or other such appropriate ones across the University (esp. in Social Sciences and Public Health) 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 NORA, the University’ 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 (either by the NSU Disaster and Development Society or the eLP if that Society is not in operation).
Generally speaking we have an open door 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. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
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 50 % of module mark
Analytical Essay on research philosophies and their importance when conducting research and mitigating bias.
This is that you can demonstrate that you have developed and acquired a critical understanding of the foundations (epistemology) and process of research.
MLOs 1 and 2
3,000 word Dissertation or Project Proposal
Weighted 50 % of module mark
This assessment will ask and help you do identify an appropriate focussed and scaled and subject-relevant small-scale (Masters Dissertation level or Masters Project) investigation of your own. It will ask you to specify and justify – based on a Literature Review – which research topic would be fruitful and appropriately challenging at Masters level to research into yourself, with what key research questions and how so, i.e. which research methodologies and techniques will enable you to answer your research questions and overall aims. It will also ask you to explore and assess which ethical issues are bound up with this research focus and approach and methods, as well as your own personal value, biographical and experience nexus with both the subject and the methods chosen.
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 a indicated mark category.
There will be interactive discussion with staff in seminars and workshops also where you can float ideas or obtain formative feedback on thinking processes and assignment tackling strategies you and your peers are developing.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
Graduates are asked to design, carry out, evaluate and commission research/consultancy. You learn about research theories, dis-/advantages of qualitative and quantitative social science research methods. This equips you to design and operationalise a research strategy as well as to scrutinise other research. Through lectures, seminars, workshops, directed and independent learning you understand the nature of research methodologies and the research process, how to research methodologies, engage with subject content based on research methodologies and their applications, actively discussing research strategies, methods and critically reviewing outputs in an interactive manner. You conduct individual research to identify a suitable research project with a suitable methodology, as well as ethical implications. An Essay on research philosophies and a Dissertation/Project Proposal where you propose an appropriate Masters Dissertation / Project investigation are the equally weighted assessment. Electronic resources/leaning environments, peer communication and access to past assignments help you.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 2 years full-time (with advanced practice in second year)
1 other options available
Department Geography and Environmental Sciences
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2023
Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.
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