Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module EDUS2501: RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION

Department: Education (ITE)

EDUS2501: RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2020/21 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to X101

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To enable students to develop a critical appreciation of the kinds of knowledge claims that can be made by educational research.

Content

  • Research Questions; Research Designs; Features and components of designs; Literature Searching and Reviewing; Educational Policy; Evidence in Education; Critical Appraisal of Research..

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, the students will be able to understand and evaluate different views about the nature of educational research and the purposes of research, use and demonstrate knowledge about different kinds of educational research methods and designs, and the kinds of research questions for which they are appropriate, experience and appreciate the issues and complexities of collecting, analysing and interpreting educational research data in contexts relevant to their practice as primary teachers.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • understanding of core components of research
  • critically analyse literature on a variety of contemporary education issues;
Key Skills:
  • communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively in a variety of ways;
  • work effectively on given tasks and activities;
  • manage time and work to deadlines.
  • think critically and independently;
  • analyse, synthesise and evaluate primary and/or secondary data;
  • construct and sustain a reasoned argument. .

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • [a] Teaching will consist of a mixture of lectures and seminars.
  • Lectures will introduce key ideas and knowledge.
  • Seminars will provide opportunities for discussion and detailed exploration of key issues.
  • [b] Much of the work in seminar sessions will be student-led, using a range of structured and supported activities.
  • [c] Students will be provided with a study guide which will contain some key readings, guidance of the activities to be undertaken throughout the module and provide links to further references and sources of information.
  • [d] The module will lay the foundations for the work in year 3 on the specialist subject dissertation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 16 Weekly 1 hour 16
Seminars 9 Fortnightly 1 hour 9
Preparation and Reading 175
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 2500 words 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Understanding of key elements and ideas will be checked informally throughout the course. Students will have an opportunity produce a draft outline of their research protocol and will receive feedback before submission


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University