Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 13 Hours. 13 x 1 hour lectures |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 7 seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Formulation of a research proposal for the research project (equivalent to 3,000 words) - weighted 50%. | |
| Semester Assessment | Compilation of bibliography of 20-30 resources after conducting a literature search on a chosen topic (equivalent to 2,000 words) - weighted 25%. | |
| Semester Assessment | Critical evaluation of four references chosen from the bibliography (equivalent to 2,000 words) - weighted 25%. |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Discuss the nature of research and its relationship to professional practice
* Describe the research process and identify the sections of a research proposal
* Identify and search bibliographical sources of information about research
* Undertake a literature search in the field of Information and Library Science
* Demonstrate the principles of a literature review, and evaluate published information sources as a precursor to creating a literature review
* Design a simple survey, and be able to use a range of basic descriptive statistics
* Explain other relevant quantitative and qualitative research methods such as the case study and the comparative method
* Analyse information and data gathered during the course of a project, be able to write a report, and consider ways of disseminating the results
* Describe how to estimate the resources required to carry out the investigation and manage a project
Brief description
This module provides a basic introduction to research methods which can be used within information and library services professions. It will help students to propose, plan and carry out small-scale in-house investigations. It will lay a foundation for personal research such as the dissertation, or possibly a masters or other higher degree at a later date. This might not be part of the students? personal agenda at the present time, but continuing professional development plays an increasingly important role in the careers of information workers.
Aims
The aim of this module is to provide a basic introduction to research methods, which can be used within information and library services. It will help students to plan, propose and execute small-scale in-house investigations. It will lay a foundation for personal research such as the dissertation, or possibly a masters or other higher degree at a later date. This might not be part of the students? personal agenda at the present time, but continuing professional development plays an increasingly important role in the careers of information workers.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The sessions on quantitative methodologies, and data analysis and presentation require the students to use and analyse numerical information. |
| Information Technology | Students have to undertake Internet searching, and identify and exploit electronic resources as part of post-lecture exercises and for assignments 1 and 3. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | This module is designed to equip students to undertake research in the professional context, and as such offers an awareness of their career needs. |
| Subject Specific Skills | * Writing in an academic context: the three assignments require different forms of academic writing (assessed) * Oral discussion and presentation: seminars and certain lectures will necessitate oral contributions * Self-management: some seminars and the assignments demand time-management abilities |
| Team work | Several of the seminars involve informal group activities. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6