module specification

This module develops students’ research skills further and involves the design, completion and write-up of a supervised, independent research project. This module expects students to carry out small-scale primary research as well as secondary research. It incorporates an on-going self -evaluation written up as a reflective research log and demands considerable time management abilities as well as the deployment of academic skills.  In Parallel with the Placement module, the research can be carried out at the same organisation where the Work Placement is carried out. Students also have the choice of a completely different topic.

Aims of the module, you will

1. develop, refine and apply research skills and critical capacities, building on the core research skills developed through the Intermediate level module Researching Community and Youth Issues;
2. undertake independent research in an area of your choice;
3. explore an issue affecting community or youth organisations or communities and carry out a small-scale project using primarily primary research as well as secondary research;
4. explore complex issues which are of importance to communities and /or community organisations and offer your analysis of the findings;

Throughout the above process, you will receive structured supervision and support.

Pre-requisite module: SS5094 (Researching Youth and Community Issues) or equivalent

• Research question, title, aim and objectives LO1
• identifying, formulating, and drawing up a proposal LO1
• Research methodology and methods LO2
• Literature search strategy and literature review LO3
• Designing interview questions and developing interviewing skills LO4
• Carrying out primary research: one-to-one qualitative interviews LO4
• Writing up, analysing and presenting the research findings (Primary and secondary research) LO4
• Research ethics LO6
• Reflection on all stages of the research LO7

Theoretical input will be through lectures, seminars and small working groups. 

The lectures will cover all stages relevant to completing the students’ research systematically.

Reflective learning is a core part of this module and students are expected to write a reflective log as a tool to capture their learning on their research journey.

Students will benefit from a blended learning approach through the use of Weblearn for online and ongoing access to lecture notes, additional materials including articles and research reports, and links to E-books. There will also be the opportunity to benefit from both on-campus and online learning from 2022.

Small group activities and discussions are key to teaching for all students and will be in the context of tutor-led sessions and exercises and simulated situations which will be useful for research. 

Students are encouraged to make full use of the University library resources as well as other on-line resources and, where appropriate, other libraries.

Students are expected to discuss and reflect on their ideas for a research topic and this leads to the proposal stage.

Following the completion of a research proposal, each student is matched with an appropriate member of teaching staff for individual supervision throughout the remainder of the module.

Throughout the research students are required to keep a reflective research diary to log thoughts, feelings or more practical matters concerning their research.

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. demonstrate that you can write a research proposal;
2. select relevant research methodology and methods for your chosen topic;
3. carry out secondary research on the chosen topic and sustain independent study over a 10-month period;
4. carry out primary research employing qualitative one-to-one interviews with research participants;
5. Present research findings using theory and plausible argument to critically analyse your findings
6. identify ethical issues relevant to your research and follow the university’s Research Ethics principles;
7. Develop skills to write a reflective log on all stages of your research.

Students will demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes through the submission of a research proposal (2000 words) on week 12 and the dissertation (research report of 7500 words) in week 29.

The research Proposal will incorporate a research question, aims and objectives, rationale, a brief literature review that relates to the student’s proposed research topic, a short research methodology and methods section, a brief discussion of ethics in relation to their research question, selection of research participants, literature search strategy and key themes for their research. Completion of this provides impetus and direction for the main assessment, the final research report.

The research report will have the following chapters: Introduction, Literature Review (Context), Research Methodology and Methods, Research Findings and Analysis, Research Conclusions and Recommendations, Reflective Research Log. 7500 words (LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6, LO7)

This module has opportunities for formative assessment. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft work to their supervisor

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