| Module Identifier |
DS33320 |
| Module Title |
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY |
| Academic Year |
2003/2004 |
| Co-ordinator |
Mr Raymond E Lonsdale |
| Semester |
Available all semesters |
| Other staff |
Dr Christine J Urquhart, Dr Christopher M Baggs, Dr David A Stoker, Professor David Ellis |
| Course delivery |
Other | |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Assessment | Compilation of bibliography of 20-30 resources equivalent to 1,500 words - weighted 25%. | |
| Semester Assessment | Critical evaluation of 4 references equivalent to 1,500 words - weighted 25%. | |
| Semester Assessment | Formulation of a research proposal for the research project (3,000 words) - weighted 50%. | |
|
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
-
9. describe how to estimate the resources required to carry out the investigation and manage a project
Brief description
The module will help students to plan, propose and execute small scale in-house investigations,. It will lay a foundation for personal research such as for 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.
Content
Unit headings comprise:
1. The development of research in information and library services
2. The research process and writing of the research proposal
3. Survey methods and basic statistics
4. Other research methods
5. Data and information analysis, and report writing
6. Resourcing and managing a small research project
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Background
Bell, Judith (1993) Doing your research project: a guide for first time researchers in education and social science
2nd. Buckingham: Open University Press
Birley, G. and Moreland, N (1998) A practical guide to academic research
Kogan Page
Blaxter, L. et al (1996) How to research. Buckingham
Open University Press
Bryman, A (2001) Social research methods
OUP
CRUS CRUS Guides. (This series of guides published by University of Sheffield?s Centre for Research in User Studies, (as it was) provide practical guidelines)
(They are now out of print but copies available on loan in the Thomas Parry Library)
Gash, S (2000) Effective Literature Searching for research
2nd. Aldershot: Gower
Articles
Eager, C. and Oppenheim, C (1996) An observational method for undertaking user needs studies
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science 28, pp15-23
Fidel, R (1984) The case study method: a case study
LISR 6, pp273-288
Goulding, A (1997) Joking, being aggressive and shutting people up: the use of focus groups in LIS research
. Education for Information 15, pp331-341
Kuhlthau, C. C (1991) Inside the search process: information seeking from the user?s perspective
Journal of the American Society for Information Science 42(5), pp361-371
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6