Educational Research Methods (MA) – (M.A.)

Course Content

The MA in Educational Research Methods requires you to study the following core modules:

o Introduction to Educational Research: Designing, Conducting and Evaluating Research
o The Contexts of Educational Research: Philosophy, Theory, Methodology and Policy
o Generating Educational Research Data
o Analysing Educational Research Data: Interpreting, Disseminating and Communicating Research

Please note that all module details are subject to change.

Towards the end of the course, you will undertake a 12,000 to 15,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice. This provides you with the opportunity to undertake a major piece of independent research under the supervision of a suitable supervisor.

Although you will be allocated a main supervisor to support you during the planning, preparation and writing up of the dissertation, you will also have access to other academic staff with expertise in the area.

The dissertation will consist of an empirical piece of work designed to allow you to navigate the research process as a whole. It will be organised in two phases as two interlinking studies:

o Research Conception and Design
o Data Generation and Analysis

As such, it will draw together the complex relationship between the four main phases involved in doing research i.e. the design, implementation, analysis and reporting, within the contexts of a small-scale in-depth study.

The third part of the dissertation module is to produce a Professional Development Portfolio. This will aim to:

o Appraise your current skills and plan for your development
o Provide evidence of activities undertaken during the year that developed your skills
o Encourage critical reflection on how your knowledge and skills might be used in different contexts

The Professional Development Portfolio is intended to stimulate and track progression throughout the years of study for the MA and onwards through doctoral study where appropriate.

Course Structure
The MA in Educational Research Methods is available for study on a full-time basis over 1 year or it can be taken on a part-time basis over 2 to 4 years. The course comprises taught modules (worth 120 credits) with a dissertation requirement (worth 60 credits).

Each module is individually assessed with assignment submission due at the end of the module. The assessments will enable you to demonstrate a range of research skills including critical analysis through essay; report writing; group work; oral presentations; and project development and completion.

The 15,000-word dissertation will be a research proposal consisting of a literature review and pilot work that is relevant to your own discipline area. You will have a supervisor who will oversee the dissertation.

Assignments will be marked and moderated internally. Final grades will be subject to approval by the External Examiner.