TE7039 - Systematic Appraisal in Education and Training

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will focus on the role of the practitioner as a research user. You will have the opportunity to make effective and systematic use of published research to inform education practice and/or policy. Through the process of the systematic appraisal, you will develop enhanced critical appraisal skills. The systematic appraisal project will address research questions which arise from your specific practice/field of expertise. These questions may address:
• Effectiveness of single/definable interventions in order to state and recommend best practice/provide evidence based guidelines for practice.
• Evaluation of appropriateness/acceptability/process/outcomes of educational provision in order to improve/develop/inform practice.
• The service user experience of education services.
• Relationships between practitioners and service users.
• Theoretical and ideological issues of relevance to education practice and/or policy.
You will be supported to select published work to be included in the appraisal; this may be either entirely quantitative, entirely qualitative or mixed method. You will then have the opportunity to consider the philosophical perspective of both the research question and the appraisal methodology.
The focus of this module is a small scale systematic review which you will undertake with the support of an experienced academic research supervisor. Peer support is also encouraged through student led seminars.

How will I learn on this module?

You will learn through lectures, seminars and independent learning. The lectures will cover theories and concepts that will enable you to participate in a series of guided tasks and exercises to support production of the final report. You will work on these during seminars and practical sessions in computer labs which are fully equipped with the last industry-standard software.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Support will include feedback from tutors during seminars and tutorials. In addition, tutors will respond to questions via the modules’ discussion board on Blackboard Ultra so that the whole group can benefit.

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:
1. Critical understanding of the breadth and complexity of research methods involved in systematic review.
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 and scope (variables/factors/settings to be studied), inclusion criteria, search strategy, critical appraisal techniques, data extraction and analysis methods.
3. Examine critically the ethical and philosophical issues related to the appraisal and included studies.
4. Implement a systematic appraisal to examine the research question.
5. Demonstrate enhanced critical appraisal skills.
6. Analyse and interpret the extracted data from the included studies giving due regard to issues of reliability, validity, rigour, trustworthiness and reflexivity.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
(1) Enhance your communication skills through discussion and in your summative written work

(2) Further develop your research skills through identification of appropriate secondary data and literature on which your dissertation will be based.

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment:
You will complete a review proposal which must be approved prior to any practical work. The proposal must include an identified problem and detailed strategy for identifying and accessing the source of secondary data, published and unpublished. The approach to further analysis and conceptualisation should also be identified.
Feedback
You will receive written and verbal feedback from your tutor.

Summative Assessment:
You produce a final project report which systematically presents the project in an appropriate academic style supported by the current literature base and accurately referenced. (15000 words)
MLOs: (KU 1) (IPSA 1-6) (PVA 1 &)

Feedback
You will receive written feedback against the specific criteria as well as general feedback

Pre-requisite(s)

TE7076 Understanding Educational Research and Methods

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

In this module you will focus on the role of the practitioner as a research user. You will have the opportunity to make effective and systematic use of published research to inform education practice and/or policy. Through the process of the systematic appraisal, you will develop enhanced critical appraisal skills. The systematic appraisal project will address research questions which arise from your specific practice/field of expertise. These questions may address:
• Effectiveness of single/definable interventions in order to state and recommend best practice/provide evidence based guidelines for practice.
• Evaluation of appropriateness/acceptability/process/outcomes of educational provision in order to improve/develop/inform practice.
• The service user experience of education services.
• Relationships between practitioners and service users.
• Theoretical and ideological issues of relevance to education practice and/or policy.
Published work to be included in the appraisal may be either entirely quantitative, entirely qualitative or mixed method. The philosophical perspective of both the research question and the appraisal methodology must be examined.

The focus of this module is a small scale systematic review which students undertake with the support of an experienced academic research supervisor.

Course info

Credits 60

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 20 months Full Time

Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start January 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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