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MCEP106
Research Methods I

MQF Level: 7

ECTS Value: 3 ECTS

Contact Hours: 15

Self Study Hours: 36

Assessment Hours: 24

 

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

Research, which involves the gathering of data from carefully identified sources, is useful; particularly when the ultimate aim of every research is to acquire knowledge that will contribute to the area of discipline of the researcher. Hence, the prospect for course participants to do a research project is growing in many areas of study, one of which is educational psychology. The scope of this module is to introduce participants to research methods and delve into the different styles of doing qualitative or quantitative or mixed method research.

By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:

Competences

a. Initiate and devise qualitative, or quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;

b. Evaluate and critique the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative or quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;

c. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the different styles of qualitative, or quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach and the different instances when each can be used;

d. Conduct a review of the available literature and developing a critique disposition;

e. Become sensitive to the general ethical issues in research.

Knowledge 

a. An array of qualitative, quantitative research methods, or mixed methodology approach;

b. Notions of validity, positionality, reliability, ontology, and epistemology, generalisation and its limits, replication;

c. List the different chapters in a dissertation and the scope of each chapter;

d. Identify the ethical responsibilities of the researcher and knowledge of ethical issues as identified by Accreditied Research Bodies;

e. Understand what plagiarism is and how it can be avoided.

Skills

a. Critique the different methodologies and their application;

b. Employ different methods of qualitative and quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;

c. Identify the most relevant literature for the research and develop a coherent link between the research question/s, the literature, research design and discussion of the findings;

d. Evaluate the validity of a research project.

Assessment Methods

This module will be assessed through: Assignment.

Suggested Readings

Core Readings List 
  1. Breakwell, G.M., Wright, D.B., and Barnett, J. (2021). Research Methods in Psychology. (5th Edition). UK: Sage Publications Ltd.
  2. Coolican, H. (2014). Research methods and statistics in psychology. Psychology Press.
  3. Corno, L. and Anderman, E.M. (2015). Handbook of Educational Psychology (3rd) : Routledge.
  4. Howitt, D. and Cramer, D. (2020). Research Methods in Psychology. UK: Pearson Education Ltd.
  5. Mertens, D. M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods (4th). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
  6. Millsap, R. E., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (2009). The SAGE handbook of quantitative methods in psychology. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9780857020994
  7. Morling, B. (2014). Research Methods in Psychology: Evaluating a World of Information. (2nd Edition). US: WW Norton and Co.
  8. Rooney, B., & Evans, A. (2019). Methods in psychological research. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781506384955
  9. Sanders, L.D. (2010). Discovering Research Methods in Psychology.BPS Blackwell
  10. Schubotz, D. (2020). Participatory research. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781529799682
  11. Willig, C., & Stainton-Rogers, W. (2008). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781848607927
Supplementary Reading List
  1. Bogner, A., Littig, B. & Menz W., eds. (2009). Interviewing Experts. Palgrave Macmillan, UK
  2. Gavin, H. (2008). Understanding research methods and statistics in psychology. SAGE Publications Ltd, https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781446214565
  3. McQueen, R. and Knussen C. (2013). Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology: A Practical Guide for the Undergraduate Reseacher. UK: Person Education Ltd.
  4. Mills, A. J., Durepos, G., & Wiebe, E. (2010). Case study research in psychology. In Encyclopedia of case study research (pp. 115-117). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412957397.n40
  5. Sternberg, R. (Ed.) (2020). My biggest research mistake: Adventures and misadventures in psychological research. SAGE Publications, Inc., https://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781071802601
  6. Tashakkori, A. & Teddie, C., (1998). Mixed Methodology – Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. SAGE, London
  7. Wiland, E. (2012); Reasons; Continuum International Publishing Group, London.
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