Advanced Research Design and Analysis Skills for Doctoral Studies – Level 8

Overview

This module aims to provide candidates with knowledge of a range of research approaches and methodologies which enable them to design and conduct research at doctoral level.

The module also focuses on developing critical awareness of particular research philosophies, approaches and techniques that are relevant to essentially inter-disciplinary projects that emphasise pragmatic and applied outcomes.

Students will learn how to identify appropriate questions for research and to design research using appropriate methods to pursue answers to their questions.

Writing a literature review, conducting interviews, observations, and questionnaire surveys, and using secondary data will be covered. The qualitative research methods covered in the module will develop an in-depth understanding of a range of research strategies and techniques including narrative analysis, discourse analysis, thematic analysis, template analysis and content analysis whereas the quantitative research methods will enable candidates to develop broader as well as detailed knowledge of statistical techniques, sampling, and interpretation of results. The module will also equip candidates with the skills to utilise mixed methods effectively.

The module will assist candidates to develop a comprehensive understanding of research methods and will prepare them to undertake their doctoral research. Finally, students will participate and learn to write and publish a research paper and develop a research proposal for their doctoral research.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module candidates are expected to have:

Understanding of the philosophical and theoretical issues in doctoral research and comprehending paradigms that underline quantitative and qualitative research.
Developing knowledge of advanced research methods, and their limitations and using appropriate data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques.

Ability to evaluate and critique research approaches and methods in various contexts and justify their selection for the undertaken research.
Ability to design and undertake research at the doctoral level by employing relevant research instruments.
Ability to present and discuss research findings convincingly.
Assessing the efficacy and implications of the research from various perspectives, practices, and beliefs.

Assessment

The module will be assessed through the following two components:

A research proposal for doctoral studies
A critical reflective commentary demonstrating engagement and understanding of research methods, design and techniques learned as part of this module.

Syllabus

Selection and Justification for the choice of topic.
Undertaking a critical analysis of existing and up-to-date literature from a range of reliable academic and professional sources.
Research methodology – POEMS (Research philosophy, Ontology, epistemology, Approaches, methods, and strategies).
Research Strategies including Experiment, Survey, Case Study, Action Research; ethnography, Grounded Theory, Longitudinal etc.
Selection, justification and application of appropriately rigorous research methods and methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, and systematic literature review, etc) to your chosen research.
Research Instruments/tools Development and Testing.
Quantitative Methods: reviewing the nature and the background
of quantitative methods, introducing the different types of quantitative research and study methods of data collection and sampling. Using Descriptive and Inferential Statistics to deal with Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate data.
Qualitative Methods: understanding the nature of qualitative research and techniques including narrative analysis, discourse analysis, thematic analysis, template analysis and content analysis.
Incorporating information from sources (paraphrasing and summarising), Acknowledging sources (citations and references), Developing an appropriate academic style and Report writing
Synthesising information from multiple sources
Ethical considerations and Reflexivity.

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy

The approach is learner-centred employing directed reading, resource-based learning, and tutorial guidance as primary supports. Learners will be supported to learn relevant quantitative and qualitative data analysis applications including SPSS and NVIVO in interactive workshops. Additionally, learners will get the necessary support and guidance to write and publish in renowned research journals by forming collaborative teams. Finally, guidance and support will be provided to develop a research proposal for future doctoral studies.