POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN RESEARCH METHODS

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POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN RESEARCH METHODS
Bernice JM West
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Objectives of course outlined in academic
regulations (A6 4.11)

• Objectives
• To equip the research student with the skills and
  knowledge necessary to undertake the proposed
  research
• To make available a body of knowledge normally
  associated with a degree in the subject area of
  the proposed programme of research
• To provide a breadth of knowledge in related
  subjects

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Course development

• Revised course structure
• Aims to take on board some of the feedback
  received from supervisors and students while
  retaining the essential core elements that
  currently exist in the Research methods course.
• Delivered in a concentrated format to facilitate
  part-time and KTP students.
• Material available via the virtual web
• It does not
• seek to be all encompassing and a student may
  need additional training provided by supervisor
  and access to other university and external
  training opportunities.
• dilute the importance of Research methods.

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• University regulations
• Programme of related studies
• Research students who have not previously
• attained an accredited research methods
• qualification or equivalent shall be required to
• undertake the Universitys Postgraduate
  certificate
• Research Methods.

Potential for APL for course allowing for credit
transfer of a Module.
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Continuing professional development

• Thinking about enrolling for a research degree?
• Pg Cert Res Meth may help formulate ideas prior
  to application
• Aspect of staff development?
• Identify a mentor
• Have some idea of area of interest for
  development
• Consider progression rate for part-time studies

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Course Management Team

• Rachel Knott (Convenor on leave until Oct 2005)
• Bernice West (Acting Convenor)
• Stephanie Rigby
• David Lal
• Ayse Goker
• Charles Juwah
• Ian Bryden
• Martin Simpson (Research Support Officer)

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Research methods modules
)
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Module 1 Principles of research

• COURSE DELIVERY (Full-time students)

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Module 1 Principles of research methods

• AIMS
• This Module forms an introduction to the
  principles that are involved in research and
  equips students with the core skills that are
  required to develop a research proposal.
• Forum for student interaction and orientation
• Introductions to administrative component of the
  PhD

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Module 1 Principles of research methods

• CORE ELEMENTS (timetable provided)
• What is an MPhil and a PhD?
• Research governance and ethics
• Library, study skills, presentation skills
• Experimental design
• Language of research
• Qualitative and quantitative tools
• Discovery and research
• Developing your research question

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Module 1 Principles of research methods

• ASSESSMENT
• Short presentation on area of research (20)
• Preparation of a research proposal (i.e. section
  4 RDR form) (80)
• Marked by supervisor
• Stratified double marking by Module co-ordinator
• Marks ratified by course management team /
  interim assessment board

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Module 2 Presentation and Communication of
Research

• AIMS
• This Module develops student awareness in the
  various forms of communication inherent within
  research and facilitates the development of
  appropriate skills.

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Module 2 Presentation and communication of
research

• CORE ELEMENTS
• Principles of communication
• Poster preparation
• Writing an abstract
• Communication skills
• Conference presentations
• Writing for publication

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Module 2 Presentation and communication of
research

• ASSESSMENT
• Details TBC
• Will involve potential for APL

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Module 3 Evaluation of research

• AIMS
• This Module enables the student to further
  develop an awareness of appropriate research
  methodologies and to select, use and develop
  evaluative methods appropriate to the process and
  outcomes of research in relation to the
  respective research project.

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Module 3 Evaluation of research

• CORE ELEMENTS
• Importance of evaluation
• Problem solving
• Philosophical approaches
• Literature review
• Methodological evaluation
• Data evaluation
• qualitative
• quantitative
• interviews
• questionnaires

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Module 3 Evaluation of research

• ASSESSMENT (details to be confirmed)
• Research report RDT (section 4 abstract, (500
  words) plus written demonstration of fulfilment
  of MPhil objectives and how the work will extend
  to PhD.
• Oral presentations within course.

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Portfolio

• Portfolio submitted to assessment board
• Each student provided with research methods lever
  arch folder
• Course information booklet
• Module 1
• study guide, assessment and feedback
• Module 2
• study guide, assessment and feedback
• Module 3 study guide
• study guide, assessment and feedback
• Appendix
• Other relevant information to demonstrate
  fulfilment of course learning outcomes e.g.
  university computer courses attended, conference
  presentations, relevant RDC documentation