Module Code - Title:
CS6472
-
RESEARCH METHODS AND SPECIFICATION
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
PF
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This modules serves as an introduction to the nature of research (philosophies, paradigms and theories) and the reasons for research investigations. It covers the topics of literature review, critical evaluation of research material, the subsequent identification of research questions and the full specification of these questions, in the form of a research proposal.
The students will also be made aware of the ethical and access issues related to empirical research collaborations, in terms of data collection, data storage and data utilisation. Finally, students will be given guidance in the presentation and dissemination of research, research management, and the role of the supervisor.
Syllabus:
- An introduction to the nature of, and rationale for, research;
- Research philosophies and theories;
- Quantitative and Qualitative research;
- Research methods;
- Critical review and evaluation of academic material;
- The process of defining and contextualizing a research question;
- Research dissemination skills (oral and written);
- Research ethics;
- Research proposal specification;
- Statistical analysis methods, including statistics;
- Research management;
- Regulations and the role of the supervisor.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
At the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Explain the primary issues and decision stages involved in the completion of a research and development project.
2. Conduct analysis of the primary and secondary literature;
3. Identify a research gap and frame a research question;
4. Choose a methodology appropriate to the research;
5. Demonstrate a set of research skills including developing research question, sourcing information, analysis, interpretation, and project management.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
At the end of this module students will be able to:
1. Develop and/or demonstrate self motivation.
2. Develop and/or demonstrate competencies in time management and project management.
3. Reflect on personal learning outcomes resulting from a self-directed inquiry involving implementation of research from inception to execution.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the methodologies appropriate to the research and will be able to address a research question.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will be taught research skills and methodologies through traditional classroom lectures and tutorials.
The applied research project supports the development of the following graduate attributes:
KNOWLEDGEABLE: Students develop knowledge of research methods and how to identify a research gap.
PROACTIVE: Students make active use of data and research to identify a research question, and in doing so develop confidence in managing a large, lengthy project they designed themselves with guidance from a supervisor.
CREATIVE: Students develop their own research question, which requires them to integrate existing knowledge in a new way.
RESPONSIBLE: Students manage their own thesis proposal, including submitting their research question and method to external scrutiny for ethical considerations.
ARTICULATE: Students develop the ability to communicate challenging, academic concepts in a written document.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Saunders, Thornhill, Lewi (2011)
Research Methods
, Pearson
Creswell (2013)
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches
, Sage
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
gauri.vaidya@ul.ie