SP0738 - Research Methods

The module utilises a range of teaching approaches that primarily include lectures and practical workshops. You will learn about the research process, research ethics, rigorous measurement, different approaches to research and data analysis in the keynote lectures. Practical workshops will teach you how to organise, visualise and summarise data using specialist software packages to generate answers to subject-specific research problems, while also highlighting advantages and disadvantages of different research approaches.

During the first week, you will be introduced to the module, and its administrative procedures and assessment requirements.

Support materials for sessions will be available on the eLP; including the lecture slides, essential-weekly reading and other useful resources such as discussion boards and data analysis guides. For further support on taught sessions you can access module tutors for one-to-one discussions and tutorials via the online tutorial booking system.

In practical data-analysis workshops you will be able to practise your data handling and analysis skills and receive feedback from tutors. Dedicated assessment sessions will afford you the opportunity to ask any research proposal-related questions. You will have the opportunity to submit a summary of a research proposal in the form of a poster. Formative feedback will be provided on these submissions that can be used to guide your preparation for the end-of-module viva about the research you propose for your dissertation.


You will receive formative feedback on practical workshop tasks, and will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have with the module tutor.

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)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will be able to demonstrate the appropriate choice and application of advanced research and data analysis techniques to M-level research problems
• You will be able to demonstrate a critical appreciation of ethical concerns as they relate to M-level research and practice

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You will be able to design a methodologically and ethically sound research project

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• You will be able to independently plan a research project of your own.

Formative assessment will take place on a weekly basis in interactive lectures and practical data-analysis workshops. Formative feedback will also be provided on summaries of research proposals submitted in the form a poster to guide preparation for the summative assessment.

Formal (summative) assessment will comprise a max 30-minute viva defence of a research proposal pertaining to your planned dissertation project.


The viva defence of your research proposal requires you to justify your plan and map out your planned research, to provide a conceptual framework based on the literature, and to identify and justify the use of an appropriate research design and analysis technique. The proposal must also show an awareness of ethical considerations relevant to the proposed project.

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In this module, you will acquire a critical understanding of advanced research approaches and data analysis and presentation methods, and a practical knowledge of their application to M-level research problems.