Module – Research Methodologies & Design
Choosing appropriate research approaches is fundamental to the development and testing of appropriate knowledge. Likewise conducting appropriate research and writing to disseminate knowledge are important skills at this level of study. Students will apply this module to their own specialism and consider evidence-based practice and research in their own particular area of interest. This module is intended to facilitate their development of critical thinking in relation to knowledge and its generation and testing. The aim of this module is to teach students to appraise the quality and nature of knowledge and research. Likewise, it will facilitate students to be more informed in terms of their roles in evidence generation and dissemination.
Thematic Area | Topic | Classroom Based Day Programme  Delivery Mode | Blended Learning Delivery Mode | |
Classroom-based only (Duration) | Synchronous BL
(Duration) |
Asynchronous Teaching and Directed e- Learning  (Duration) | ||
Theme 1 | Understanding the differences between research design and methodology | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 2 | Influencing factors on Research Design. | 3 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 3 | The distinctive aspects of the researcher’s role in differing paradigms | 3 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 4 | Sampling within different traditions, e.g. issues relating to randomisation, stratification, convenience sampling, snowballing etc. | 3 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 5 | Issues specific to using mixed methods/triangulation. | 3 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 6 | Ensuring rigour in differing research traditions e.g. reliability, validity, trustworthiness or authenticity etc. | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 7 | Ethical practice in research. Negotiating access to research sites, ensuring participants rights. Data collection, storage, and management. | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 8 | Designing experimental and non-experimental projects. | 3 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 9 | Design and use of survey methods. | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 10 | Data analysis and interpretation of research findings. Levels of measurement using quantitative data. | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 11 | Interpretation and/or construction of meaning using qualitative data. | 3 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Theme 12 | Designing research based on naturalistic approaches such as ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory. | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1 Hour |
Total | 30 hours | 24 hours | 12 hours |