IS40640 Research Methods

Academic Year 2021/2022

An understanding of research methods is integral to ensuring we conduct research in an effective and ethical manner answering the research questions we set about to answer. This course will explore the most common forms of research methods and analysis techniques being used in the social sciences. Through each 1 hr lecture and 1 hr tutorial students will gather theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge about quantitative and qualitative approaches to research relevant for their programme of study.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students should be able to:
1) Conduct the research planning and execution process with integrity with awareness and ability to consider research ethics
2) Choose appropriate research and analysis methods and apply them to research questions
3) Discuss considerations needed for specific methods and analysis techniques
4) Communicate issues relating to key areas in research methods

Indicative Module Content:

Course Syllabus (Note that this is subject to change):
Week 1: Lecture: What is Research Methods? Tutorial Exercise: Literature Search & Referencing Software
Week 2: Lecture: Research & Information Ethics Tutorial Exercise: Research Ethics Quiz
Week 3: Lecture: Research Integrity Tutorial Exercise: Plagiarism Quiz
Week 4: Lecture: Recruitment & Research Conduct Tutorial Exercise: Participant Information Sheet & Consent Form
Week 5: Lecture: Designing Quantitative Experiments Tutorial Exercise: Experiment Structure & Confounds
Week 6: Lecture: Self Report Questionnaires Tutorial Exercise: Item development/PCA analysis (basic stats for MLIS)
Week 7: Lecture: Writing Quantitatively Tutorial Exercise: APA writing exercise
Week 8: Lecture: Interviews Tutorial Exercise: Interview question development
Week 9: Lecture: Ethnography/participant observation Tutorial Exercise: Observation/Fieldnotes
Week 10: Lecture: Content Analysis Tutorial Exercise: Content analysis exercise
Week 11: Lecture: Thematic Analysis Tutorial Exercise: Thematic Analysis exercise
Week 12: Lecture: Summary Lecture

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12

Tutorial

12

Specified Learning Activities

30

Autonomous Student Learning

70

Total

124

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Approaches across the course include:

Lectures; Critical writing & reflective learning; Debates & discussion; Case-based/Project based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Presentation: Project poster Week 12 n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

40

Assignment: Research Project Plan & Tutorial Exercise Appendix Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

60


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Research Project Plan & Tutorial Exercise Appendix- Written feedback will be given individually through Brightspace post assessment Poster- Written feedback will be given individually through Brightspace post assessment

Name Role
Assoc Professor Marguerite Barry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms. Odile Dumbleton Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Páraic Kerrigan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Paola Peña Lecturer / Co-Lecturer