Postgraduate Module Descriptor

EFPM308: Preparing for Educational Research and Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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).

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
A written outline of the research problem/focus	250 words	1,2,4,7,9	Written and verbal feedback from tutor. Written/verbal feedback from peers.
Research proposal	3000 words	1-4, 9	Written feedback from dissertation supervisor.

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
A dissertation presenting the processes and outcomes of the research enquiry	100	12,000 words	1-9	Written feedback and grade

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
A dissertation presenting the processes and outcomes of the research enquiry	Resubmission of dissertation (12,000 words)	1-9	Usually 6 weeks