Research Design and Methodology
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 0 hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Aims and objectives
This unit is primarily an introduction to the principles and processes involved in research practice and students will learn how to develop a research plan with the necessary components.
Unit Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Identify a research problem and conduct a quasi-literature review on a topic of your choice
2. Review and evaluate a series of published research articles identifying the major components in published research and research design principles
3. Identify the characteristics of good quantitative and qualitative research design and the decision making processes involved in developing such designs
4. Formulate a research plan including the necessary components and identify and describe the major components in a research report
Unit Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Identify a research problem and conduct a quasi-literature review on a topic of your choice
2. Review and evaluate a series of published research articles identifying the major components in published research and research design principles
3. Identify the characteristics of good quantitative and qualitative research design and the decision making processes involved in developing such designs
4. Formulate a research plan including the necessary components and identify and describe the major components in a research report
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
*Scheduled face to face: N/A
*Scheduled synchronous online learning events (total 3 hours)
Non-scheduled online learning events and activities (18 hours) and instructor consultation (3 hours)
Other non-scheduled learning events and activities including independent study (126 hours approx.)
*Scheduled synchronous online learning events (total 3 hours)
Non-scheduled online learning events and activities (18 hours) and instructor consultation (3 hours)
Other non-scheduled learning events and activities including independent study (126 hours approx.)
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Assignment 1 | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Assignment 2 | Individual | 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Assignment 3 | Individual | 50% | 1,2,3,4 |
Minimum requirements to pass this Unit
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
(i) an overall mark for the unit of 50% or more
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
(i) an overall mark for the unit of 50% or more
General skills outcomes
During this unit students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
- Analysis Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Communication Skills
- Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
- Ability to work independently
Content
The topics studied in detail in this unit will be drawn from the following:
Module 1: Framing research in practice
In this Module we will explore framing and formulating research as a process of inquiry. Topics include:
• Research and its uses
• Framing research
• The literature review
Module 2: Designing research
In this Module, we will consider elements of research design and key issues in formulating and conducting research studies. Topics include:
• Methodological strategies
• Conducting research
Module 3: Conducting research
In this Module we will investigate how to develop a research plan. Topics include:
• Developing a research proposal
• Communicating about research
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required texts will be made available in the Unit Outline.