PP0724 - The Empirical Project

You will participate in this module as an active learner. The module will be built around a number of individual and group learning activities that will help you to explore the different aspects of undertaking a robust empirical research study. You will work with a named Higher Education supervisor for the duration of your research project. The tutorial work that you undertake will be focused on your research study and should follow the path of the study as it unfolds. This one to one support will enable you to explore areas of the work that are troublesome and the critical dialogue that it enables will help you to develop your understanding of the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of your research process. In addition to tutorial work you will be encouraged to attend a series of research seminars that will also follow the path of your research project during the span of your programme. During each seminar it is expected that individuals will share their research challenges and successes. The sharing of understandings and experiences will be an integral part of the way in which the module helps to socially construct individual’s perceptions of their work. The module aims to enable you to develop an effective and successful research study and also to focus on your own development as a proficient researcher.

You will work with a named Higher Education supervisor for the duration of this Masters module. A total of 12 hours has been allocated per academic year for you and your HE supervisor to meet to discuss your ongoing research work. These meetings will be organised at times that are mutually convenient. The named HE supervisor will be your primary source of support during the module and will normally act as first marker to your Masters dissertation. You will need to make contact with this individual at an early stage of the module and ensure that you maintain regular contact as the module unfolds. The appointment of HE supervisors will be organised by the programme lead of the programme that you have followed during the PG Certificate and PG Diploma phases of your studies.

The module leader will also be an important source of support during your studies and will also be pivotal in helping you to negotiate your way through the internal University ethical approval process. This person will normally provide the research seminars that are part of this module. Various experts in aspects of the empirical research process may also be invited to contribute to the seminar series.

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.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Critical understanding of the breadth and
complexity of research methods involved in an Empirical Project

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Conceptualise the research topic and establish its relevance to the practice area/field of expertise.
2. Define the study protocol in terms of the research question, methodology, and methods of data collection & analysis and critically examine the ethical issues related to project.
3.Critically analyse and evaluate literature
relevant to the project.
1
4. Analyse and interpret the outcomes of the study giving due regard to issues of reliability, validity, rigour, trustworthiness and reflexivity.


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. . Extended your time management skills through planning and implementation of your summative project

2. Develop your research skills through implementation of your summative project.

Formative:
In this module formative assessment will normally be provided during the one to one tutorials where you will be encouraged to share parts of your written work with your HE supervisor prior to final submission.

Feedback
Additional formative feedback will come from the sharing of project work during classroom discussions.

Summative:
Assessment of the module will be by a final project report (15,000 words) in which you present the project in an appropriate academic style supported from the current literature base and accurately referenced.
MLOs: KU1; IPSA1-4, PVA 3 & 4

Feedback
You will be given written feedback graded against the criteria and using the elaborated grade descriptor

TE7076 Understanding Educational Research and Methods

None

This module focuses on you as a researcher and provides an opportunity for the collection and analysis of primary qualitative and/or quantitative data for the purpose of answering a specific research question that is relevant and important to your practice and field of expertise. A range of research methodologies and methods may be appropriate to this work. The empirical project should aim to develop understanding of the focus of your work and may also help to transform practice at the individual and/or systems level. You will be supported in the module by a named Higher Education supervisor and through the provision of a series of research seminars. Assessment of the module is by a final project report (15000 words) in which the project is presented in an appropriate academic style.