Module Identifier | RS25720 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Module Title | RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION | ||||||||||||||||||||
Academic Year | 2005/2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Co-ordinator | Dr Malcolm H Leitch | ||||||||||||||||||||
Semester | Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Other staff | Professor William Haresign | ||||||||||||||||||||
Course delivery | Lecture | 18 x 2 hour combined lectures/practical sessions on data analysis | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | 3 x 2 hour workshops in Research Methodologies; 4 x 2 hour workshops in Data Analysis | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lecture | 10 x 1 hour lectures on Research Methodologies | ||||||||||||||||||||
Assessment |
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1. Produce a fully documented review of a body of scientific/social science literature and draw logical conclusions
2. Discuss the differences in experimental approach between quantitative and qualitative research
3. Propose an appropriate experimental hypothesis for subsequent testing
4. Design an appropriate experimental approach for testing an experimental hypothesis
5. Identify appropriate methods of analysis for different types of data
6. Analyse data using a range of statistical methods
7. Interpret experimental data and draw suitable conclusions based on the results of the data analysis
In addition, the module includes the theory and practice of a range of statistical methodologies. These include probability, a description of the normal distribution and parametric tests based on samples drawn from normally distributed populations including t-tests, one way and multi way ANOVA and correlation and regression analysis. Non-parametric methods will include chi-square analysis of frequencies, contingency tables, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman rank correlation. This component of the course is taught through a series of two-hour lecture/practical sessions consisting of an introductory lecture followed by practical examples to work through.
Research skills | For the production of the research plan, students will be required to understand a range of research methods, plan and carry out research, write in an academic context and evaluate research methods, design and procedures. | ||
Communication | For the review of literature, students will be required to read in different contexts and for different purposes. For the production of the literature review and research plan, they will be required to write for different purposes and audiences. | ||
Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will learn to manage their own time in achieving objectives. Production of the research plan requires students to work to specific deadlines | ||
Information Technology | Students will be required to word process to produce a variety of formats of documents; find information on the internet and access information via an on-line library system; all of these skills will be required in the production of the research plan. | ||
Application of Number | Students will be required to word process to produce a variety of formats of documents; find information on the internet and access information via an on-line library system; all of these skills will be required in the production of the research plan. |
This module is at CQFW Level 5