Module Identifier
DSM1810
Module Title
RESEARCH IN THE PROFESSION
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Professor David Ellis
Semester
Distance Learning
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Asignment 1  Evaluation of one or more research articles, identifying the research questions and assessing their relevance to a particular discipline.  20%
Semester Assessment Assignment 2  Critical analysis of research methodology and findings.  80%

Learning Outcomes

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

* identify and comment on the relevance of a research question or series of research questions

* evaluate critically, a range of research methods, approaches and techniques

* justify the value of evidence based practice

* assess and describe how research and evaluation can be applied in specific workplace situations

* evaluate potential difficulties faced by the researcher with respect to ethical principles

Brief description

An introduction to research and research methods, with emphasis upon the applicability and use of research in the professional information environment.

Content

Unit 1 discusses the nature of research, its relevance to the information profession and its applicability in the workplace.
Unit 2 looks at strategies for formulating valid research questions and carrying out a piece of research.
Unit 3 discusses the principles of research design.
Unit 4 is concerned with evaluation; how researchers analyse data and present findings.
Unit 5 examines data collection and analysis in practice.
Unit 6 deals with the ethics of research.
Unit 7 looks at research in practice, with examples from the information professions.
Unit 8 covers techniques for reviewing research and drawing conclusions from published research. Evidence-based practice is revisited and research opportunities in the information disciplines highlighted.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Appreciation for the strength of statistical data and how these data can be manipulated for research purposes
Communication Ability to digest and summarise questions of research, present findings and challenge published research strategies.
Improving own Learning and Performance Integral to the scheme through independent learning in DL mode
Information Technology Appreciation of the role played by IT in the analysis of research data
Personal Development and Career planning Ability to demonstrate how research may be applied in specific professional environments and situations
Problem solving Ability to devise research questions to resolve a perceived problem. Necessitates articulation of both problem and method of resolution.
Research skills Ability to compare and contrast different research methods and analyse fitness for purpose in given situations.
Team work Appreciation for the need to work with others in any research project, particularly participant involvement and co-operation

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7