Module Information
Module Identifier
BDM0120
Module Title
Research Methods
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Literature Review A review of key literature that provides a justification for the stated hypothesis(es) or aims and objectives of a potential dissertation project. 1500 Words | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Research Proposal A detailed explanation and justification for the proposed programme of research to be completed during the students' dissertation. To include a critique of the proposed design and methodological choices alongside statements relating to ethical approval processes, data management procedures and risk assessment. 2500 Words | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Literature Review A review of key literature that provides a justification for the stated hypothesis(es) or aims and objectives of a potential dissertation project. 1500 Words | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Research Proposal A detailed explanation and justification for the students' proposed dissertation project, including a critique of their experimental design and methodological approach, and statements on the proposed ethical approval process, and risk assessment and data management arrangements. 2500 Words | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Apply statistical knowledge in the context of postgraduate research.
2. Identify appropriate methods for different types of data.
3. Generate appropriate research hypotheses and research objectives.
4. Assimilate and synthesise information from published research and databases.
5. Clearly describe and communicate research findings.
Brief description
This module provides the tools necessary for carrying out independent research. Covering statistics for analyzing data and building towards the students identifying a suitable dissertation topic. The student will also be taught to evaluate existing research published in a range of different sources and will also evaluate the different knowledge exchange mechanisms that are appropriate to the audience.
Content
The aim of this module is to provide training relevant to assessments within other modules, including the Masters dissertation. The module will cover the following principal areas:
Statistics:
• Basics (populations, significance, descriptives)
• How to choose the correct test
• How to use statistics in experimental design
• A statistical test suitable for the student’s chosen dissertation topic
Research skills
• Introduction to scientific research
• Principles of research design
• Research and the wider world
• How to write a proposal
The module will follow the standard distance learning format leading the students through weekly units. Guided teaching will be through a combination of lectures, podcasts, reading and tutor/supervisor meetings. As the module progresses the level of guided learning will decrease and the student will be increasingly expected to increase their self-guided learning to finally finish with the submission of a research proposal. Students will also be taught the basic theory of statistics and basic concepts before focusing on a particular type of statistical test relevant to their research proposal. The student will also be given previously published data to analyze present in tabulated or figure form and discuss the findings of as part of a data assignment.
Statistics:
• Basics (populations, significance, descriptives)
• How to choose the correct test
• How to use statistics in experimental design
• A statistical test suitable for the student’s chosen dissertation topic
Research skills
• Introduction to scientific research
• Principles of research design
• Research and the wider world
• How to write a proposal
The module will follow the standard distance learning format leading the students through weekly units. Guided teaching will be through a combination of lectures, podcasts, reading and tutor/supervisor meetings. As the module progresses the level of guided learning will decrease and the student will be increasingly expected to increase their self-guided learning to finally finish with the submission of a research proposal. Students will also be taught the basic theory of statistics and basic concepts before focusing on a particular type of statistical test relevant to their research proposal. The student will also be given previously published data to analyze present in tabulated or figure form and discuss the findings of as part of a data assignment.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Students will be taught statistical techniques and expected to complete both formative and summative assessments. |
| Communication | Students will be expected to be able to express themselves appropriately in their assignments. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Detailed feedback will be given for assignment work. The student will be encouraged by the module tutor to work closely with their supervisor to develop a clear and robust research proposal. |
| Information Technology | Students will be required to source information from a variety of scientific publication data bases and be taught to use specialist statistical software. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Research Proposal – developed in collaboration with employer and supervisor. |
| Problem solving | Online quizzes and the data report will be used to help develop and improve students problem solving skills. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to undergo directed self-study and so will develop their literature research skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7