PP7007 - Research Methods, Approaches and Skills

You will learning through lectures, seminars and group work and independent learning as you are supported to become an independent researcher. The lectures will cover theories and concepts that will enable you to participate in a series of guided tasks and discussions. The module specific VLE will provide additional learning support and enable communication between students and staff, and you will be enabled to use a wide range of electronic sources in order to access the most current literature in Childhood and Early Years Studies. You will also be encouraged to engage with current thinking in this field through the critical evaluation of relevant research papers that will then be further explored within seminars. Indeed, this ‘research rich’ learning approach will enable you to build upon previous higher education and/or practice experiences.

Academic support for this module is provided by the module team. The module team will ensure that you receive clear guidance about the module learning outcomes and how you will be assessed against these. Group tutorial time will be identified during the module. Students requiring additional support and tutorials can arrange to meet, e-mail or telephone the module leader outside of module sessions. The University’s VLE will offer remote access to materials and aids for support and learning and, in addition, tutors will respond to questions via the modules’ discussion board on the University’s VLE so that the whole group can benefit. Support will also include feedback from tutors during seminars.

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:
MLO1. You will have a critical understanding of the theory and practice of research in Childhood and Early Years Studies .

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities
MLO2. You will critically appraise research literature and use it to develop research question.
MLO3. You will demonstrate a critical understanding of research design. appropriate to addressing identified issues.
MLO4. You will critically appraise and justify the choice of an appropriate research methodology and methods.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5. You will critically and reflexively explore ethical issues and strategies for their management.

Formative Assessment:
Individual and small group work including presentations on aspects of research practice which will include tutor and peer verbal feedback

Feedback
Feedback will be given verbally by tutor and peers.

Summative Assessment:
You are required to develop a research proposal for a study which addresses an identified research question. This proposal will be located in the context of contemporary academic literature, address methodological and ethical issues, and demonstrate skills of independence and originality in considering the most appropriate approach to take. (4500 words)

Feedback
Feedback will be written and graded using the criteria and the elaborated marking scale.

N/A

N/A

In the context of a rapidly changing research policy and practice environment the need for rigorous ethical research is essential. Indeed, the aim of this module is to facilitate you to develop the knowledge necessary to investigate and respond to key issues and research questions in Childhood and Early Years Studies.

Drawing on the team’s research, this module will guide you through the stages of research design enhancing your ability to conceptualise and critically understand the processes associated with undertaking an independent research proposal. We will use taught sessions and the VLE to discuss and critically appraise research design and methodology. There will be opportunities to gain tutor and peer feedback on your draft proposal. This research proposal will develop research and analytical skills which provide the foundation for your independent dissertation and enhance employability and career development in the field of Childhood and Early Years.