Module Information

Module Identifier
DS33320
Module Title
Research Methodology
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Reading List
Other Staff

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

Unit headings comprise:

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