Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
BDM0120
Module Title
Research Methods
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Summative on line assessments  50%
Semester Assessment interpreting results/solutions for agri-food supply chains  25%
Semester Assessment Research Proposal  25%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Apply statistical knowledge in the context of postgraduate research.

2. Identify appropriate methods for different types of data.

3. Anaylse and interpret the results from a range of different statistical analyses.

4. Generate appropriate research hypotheses and research objectives.

5. Assimilate and synthesise information from published research and databases.

6. Clearly describe and communicate research findings.

Brief description

This module provides the tools necessary for carrying out independent research. Covering qualitative and qualitative statistical methods for analyzing data, the module builds towards students identifying a suitable dissertation topic. The student will be taught to evaluate existing research published in a range of different sources and evaluate the different knowledge exchange mechanisms that are appropriate to the audience.

Content

The aim of this module is to provide training relevant to assessments within other modules, including the Masters dissertation. The module will cover the following principal areas:

Statistics
• T-tests, ANOVA, post-hoc significance tests, data handling and presentation Correlation/Regression and Non-parametric tests.
• Students will choose a further three sub-units from the following subject areas:
Multifactorial ANOVA, repeated measures/split plot ANOVA, Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), principal component analysis, canonical variate analysis (CVA), discriminant function analysis (DFA), survey/questionnaire design and analysis, introduction to R.

Research skills
• The nature of research and the research process
• Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative research
• Assessment of published research
• Scientific writing and the production of a postgraduate dissertation

The statistics section of the module will contain a range of recorded lectures detailing each statistical test and instructive guides on how to perform each statistical test using specialist statistics software. Online formative and summative assessments which will test the students understanding and application of each statistical test. The research skills part of the module will contain a range of recorded lectures, interviews and other recorded material which will explore the nature of research and scientific publication. The research skills part has two assessments. The first assessment will evaluate the students' ability to review published literature, and synthesize and communicate their findings in a clear and concise manner. The second assessment is a research proposal on their chosen dissertation topic and will detail the hypothesis that will be tested, highlight some of the key research publications in their chosen area and present the experimental design they intend to implement, including detail on the statistical methods they intend to utilize.



Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Students will be taught statistical techniques and expected to complete both formative and summative assessments.
Communication Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments.
Improving own Learning and Performance Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work.
Information Technology Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication data bases and be taught to use specialist statistical software.
Personal Development and Career planning Research Project Plan – developed in collaboration with employer and supervisor.
Problem solving Online quizzes will be used to help develop and improve students problem solving skills.
Research skills Students will be required to undergo directed self study and so will develop their literature research skills.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7