Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Proposal 2500-3000 words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | Literature Review 2500 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Proposal (3,000 words) - weighted 50%. | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Literature Review equivalent to 1,500 words - weighted 25%. 2500 Words | 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
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
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
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | The units on quantitative methodologies, and data analysis and presentation require the students to use and analyse numerical information. |
| Communication | With regard to written communication, the three assignments require different forms of academic writing (reviews, report proposal and essay and bibliographical compilation). The ability to handle different academic writing conventions is an assessment criterion for each assignment. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Self management is a requirement for some of the exercises which necessitate preparation, and the assignments also demand that students are able to manage their time. |
| Information Technology | Students have to undertake Internet searching, and identify and exploit electronic resources as part of post-lecture exercises and for assignments 1 and 3. No overt assessment is made of the skills. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | This module is designed to equip students to undertake research in the professional context, and as such offers an awareness of their career needs. |
| Problem solving | The module offers basic training for learners which will enable them to investigate problems within the fields of information and library studies. |
| Research skills | The whole module is designed to develop the research skills of the student. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6