Module EFPM308 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
EFPM308: Preparing for Educational Research and Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Introduction to research
- Designing a small scale study
- Reviewing literature: critical analysis and synthesis
- Research methodologies
- Research ethics
- Data collection methods: questionnaires, interviews, observations
- Data analysis methods: qualitative and quantitative
- Writing a dissertation.
This module encompasses two interrelated phases: an initial preparatory phase which introduces research methodology and research design; and a dissertation phase in which you conduct and complete the chosen research enquiry.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 560 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | 10 x 60 minute online/face to face lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 20 | 10 x 120 minute seminars- face to face or synchronous online. |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 10 | Individual supervision |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Directed tasks through module online materials eg reading, preparing outline of study, drafting data collection instruments etc. |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Preparation of research proposal and ethical approval |
| Guided Independent Study | 460 | Carrying out of research enquiry, for example, gathering data, analysing data, writing dissertation |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
- Bell, J. with Waters, S. (2014) Doing your research project: a guide to first time researchers in education and social science. 6th edn. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.
- Bryman, A. (2016) Social research methods. 5th edn. Oxford: Blackwell.
- Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2018) Research Methods in Education. 8th edn. London: Routledge.
- Mertens, D. M. (2015) Research and evaluation in education and psychology 4th edn. London: Sage.
- Miles, M.B., Huberman, A.M. and Saldana, J. (2014) Qualitative data analysis: expanded methods sourcebook. 3rd edn. London: Sage.
- Pring, R. (2015) Philosophy of educational research. London: Bloomsbury.
- Radnor, H. (2001) Researching your professional practice doing interpretative research. Buckingham: OUP.
- Robson C. and McCartan, K. (2016) Real world research.4th edn. Chichester: Wiley.
- Thomas, G.T. (2017) How to do your research project. 3rd edn. London: Sage.
- Wellington, J. (2015) Educational research: contemporary issues and practical approaches. 2nd edn. London: Bloomsbury.
- Wilkinson, D. (ed.)(2000) The researcher's toolkit. London: Routledge Falmer.
