1. Research Methods and Proposal Writing Damian.Gordon@dit.ie

2. What’s it about? This module broadly covers three categories; Research Methodologies Data Analysis Techniques Research Proposal Writing

3. Learning Outcomes Identify relevant and feasible areas of research in your discipline for the purpose of individual investigation Select, develop and apply appropriate literature search strategies in relation to a chosen approved topic using relevant literature resources and ICT for purposes of literature review Collect and critically evaluate research material from the literature in order to identify the current state of knowledge and key issues in a research topic

4. Learning Outcomes Present a critical and logical interpretation of the issues in the form of a written review of the literature relating to a chosen topic Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical issues that may impinge on research in general including data collection and utilisation Employ appropriate data analysis techniques for specific sets of data

5. Learning Outcomes Critically evaluate research approaches and methods in the design and planning of a research programme Make an informed choice of appropriate research methods for specific research questions Formulate a simple research programme for a given research topic

6. Learning Outcomes Select a topic from the course and/or their own experience which will provide suitable scope for research in an MSc dissertation project Prepare a detailed realistic research proposal supported by a preliminary review of the relevant literature Demonstrate good technical writing skills Critically analyse their own approaches to research.

7. Syllabus Introducing the research process:  Formulating and clarifying a research topic.  Critically reviewing the literature.  Deciding on the research approach and choosing a research strategy.  Negotiating access and research ethics. Quantitative Data Analysis:  Data Collection Techniques, Statistical Approaches

8. Syllabus Qualitative Data Analysis:  Action Research and Participatory Action Research,  Content Analysis,  Ethnomethodology and Conversation Analysis,  Ethnography,  Event Structure Analysis,  Grounded Theory,  Historical Research,  Narrative Inquiry,  Phenomenography and Phenomenology,  Q Methodology

9. Syllabus  Writing a report and abstract.  Problem definition  Types of problems, creativity  Synectic process  Strategies, decision analysis, systems thinking, implementing change.  Requirements of a good MSc Dissertation.

10. Syllabus  Literature Review:  Literature search strategies  Sourcing and evaluating published sources for their relevance and quality in relation to the chosen topic  Identifying current state of knowledge and key issues  Writing a literature review relating to the chosen topic.  Use of literature and libraries and ICT;

11. Syllabus  Research Management:  Planning and organising a research project;  identifying researchable issues;  Time and task management;  Consent and confidentiality issues.  Research approaches and methods, and project management techniques, in the design and planning of a research programme  Requirements of an MSc Research Project

12. Assessment Continuous assessment will comprise 100% of the marks for this module. The pass mark for the continuous assessment is 40%.

13. What you need A grey lever arch folder to keep case study notes

14. Continuous Assessment (1/3) The student’s Portfolio will be a key artefact for continuous assessment of this module. All problems a student solves should be included in this Portfolio. Students will be expected to record observations about techniques learnt as applied to knowledge based problems, reflecting on the student’s performance and progress as well as the applicability approaches learnt.

15. Continuous Assessment (2/3) The student’s Portfolio will be the key artefact of this module which will include, at least, the following:  the student’s vision of their Masters;  each of their assessments;  the feedback from these assessment that they have been given, and  reflections on their progress throughout the module.

16. Continuous Assessment (3/3) Out of class problem sets will involve more extensive problems to be done either individually or in groups. Students will also be expected to present work individually or in groups.