Research Methods
6 ECTS
Research Methods
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Module Description
As part of the journey, the student will be expected to design, carry out, and write up a number of assignments/mini studies and a research project in the format of a dissertation and to defend this in a Viva.
The unit introduces participants to characteristics within academic writing, such as originality, authenticity, and plagiarism, as well as to the principles and realities of producing and presenting postgraduate work for publication.
Participants will be exposed to the writing and editing skills required for this level of advanced knowledge and research allowing them to gain the necessary competence to design and carry out an independent and original study at a Master level.
The design and structuring of research for publication and dissemination in the form of a dissertation and academic papers is the ultimate objective of every postgraduate student. Hence, once exposed to the principles of academic writing and publishing, participants will have the opportunity to produce research work for publication as part of their study journey requirements.
This unit also exposes students to the fundamentals of curriculum design and school assessment and further critical leadership and management practices in education.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must be in possession of:
- A full MQF Level 6 qualification in Education from an accredited institution, together with a minimum of five years’ teaching experience, or
- Any other degree recognised as equivalent for the purpose together with a recognised teaching or education qualification and a minimum of five years’ teaching experience, or
- A master’s degree that qualifies applicants for a Teacher’s Warrant, together with a minimum of five year’s teaching experience, or
- Any other recognised teaching qualification together with at least five years’ teaching experience.
- Applicants are expected to demonstrate a good level of English proficiency through qualifications such as IELTS level 6.0 or any other qualification which the College deems indicative of a good level of English competency.
For those students who wish to pursue a position within a school, kindly note that they would still need a teacher’s warrant.
Target Audience
This programme targets:
- The target audience for the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Innovation includes educators, administrators, policymakers, and professionals in the field of education who aspire to leadership roles or seek to advance their careers by gaining expertise in educational leadership, organisational change, and innovative practices.
- This programme is designed for individuals who are passionate about transforming education systems, improving teaching and learning outcomes, and driving positive change in educational institutions.
- For individuals wishing to engage in leadership positions in schools or at other further and higher education institutions, as well as the Education Directorates, in mind.
- Students completing this programme would be prepared to take on leadership positions in Malta and/or progress to doctoral studies.
Career Paths
The programme prepares for positions such as, but not limited to:
- Assistant Head of School
- Head of School
- Executive Officer Education Directorate
- Head of Department Education Directorate
- Director Higher/Further Education
- Deputy Director Higher/Further Education
- Educational Advisor
- Educational Consultant
- Training and Development Manager
- Curriculum Development Developer and Designer
- Diversity and Inclusion Manager
- Education and engagement officer (for example, of a museum, etc.)
This programme also provides students with the opportunity to pursue further studies at MQF level 8.
How you’ll be assessed
The module comprises of:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Class Presentations
Mini Studies:
- Participants will conduct mini studies on a chosen topic in liaison with their tutor.
- The topic can be adapted to align with a specific interest and professional practice.
Module Intake Dates
TBA 2025
Learning Outcomes
Competences
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Apply the conventions, language, and principles of academic writing in one’s own field with the expected standards of linguistic ability such as correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, syntax, referencing, and citation conventions.
- Write effectively and appropriately to audience, purpose, and genre to communicate own expertise.
- Argue effectively through a selected position and through a specific perspective while remaining in focus of the study undertaken.
- Source, analyse, and synthesise relevant and appropriate scholarly texts expertly, whilst correctly using references and citations without plagiarism.
- Produce new insights and original work contributing to the field of Study with scope for dissemination of new knowledge and further research.
- Acquire and demonstrate knowledge of curriculum design, assessment, and other critical leadership and management practices in education.
Knowledge
By the end of the module/unit, the students will be able to:
- Apply the conventions, language, and principles of academic writing in one’s own field with the expected standards of linguistic ability such as correct punctuation, spelling, grammar, syntax, referencing and citation conventions.
- Write effectively and appropriately to audience, purpose, and genre to communicate own expertise.
- Argue effectively through a selected position and through a specific perspective while remaining in focus of the study undertaken.
- Source, analyse, and synthesise relevant and appropriate scholarly texts expertly whilst correctly using references and citations without plagiarism
- Produce new insights and original work contributing to the field of study with scope for dissemination of new knowledge and further research.
- Acquire and demonstrate knowledge of curriculum, assessment design, and other critical leadership and management practices in education.
Skills
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Produce logical and coherent arguments and evidence to support the claims.
- Use credible and diverse evidence and incorporate sources from others appropriately using advised referencing style.
- Distinguish voices and viewpoints, whilst discriminating between examples/illustrations and main points.
- Assess an author’s thesis, purposes, audiences, contexts, bias, and credibility whilst drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of an author’s writing strategies.
- Paraphrase and summarise text to main ideas in logical, fluent paragraphs with transitional elements.
- Compose clear and appropriate texts according to genre, purpose and audience, whilst observing appropriate language mechanics expected in academic writing.
- Devise reporting surveys, interviews, questionnaires.
- Engage in appropriate qualitative and quantitative discourse and dialectic.
- Design appropriate curricula and assessment methods.
Module-Specific Learner Skills
The learner will be able to:
- Structure and format a master’s thesis into parts, chapters and sub-chapters using headings correctly.
- Reference, cite, and quote correctly.
- Create original work and avoid plagiarising.
- Communicate effectively through writing by making the right language choices adequate for context, genre and audience.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences
The learner will be able to:
- Research and access the right academic platforms to find the most up-to-date peer-reviewed materials required for their studies.
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.