Research Methods

Module Description

This module is designed for learners who want and need to gain understanding of research approaches and skills and gain an ability to deploy research methods in their studies or in professional lives.

In particular, this module will aid those who have to conduct research as part of their postgraduate studies and it is for those who feel they would like additional support for self-improvement.

This module is a comprehensive introduction to research methods and will cover broad topics:  the fundamentals of doing research, research methods, research design, data collection, and data analysis.

In discussing each topic, the ethical implications of research will be covered. Research is a craft, and like any other craft, it takes practice to do it well.

Therefore, this module places the student experience at the center of our endeavors by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises.

Learners will have opportunity to learn by doing in all aspects of the course—in class meetings, online classroom, and out-of-class assignments.

No prior knowledge or experience in research is required to take this course.

Entry Requirements

Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following: 

• a Level 6 degree in a related field; 

 OR  

• a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a supervisory or managerial role. 

Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in a discipline related elderly care and a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management within the sector. 

Target Audience

The target group covers, but is not limited to:  

• Care Home Managers and Directors
• Personnel involved in the administration of care to the elderly
• Educators
• Welfare Officers 
• Human Resources and Operations Managers involved in the administration of care for the elderly
• Middle Management (such as. senior care workers etc.)
• Personnel involved in family counselling and counselling of the elderly
• Nurses 
• Medical Doctors
• Allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, dieticians etc. 

Module / Unit Instructions

The proposed structure comprises a blended approach promoting the building of a community of practice via peer-to-peer learning. The structure uses primarily two dimensions of teaching-learning modes:

1. Face-to-face sessions: 18 hours

2. Online Learning Activities: 12 hours

Face to Face sessions

Face-to-face sessions include lectures, tutorials, discussions, presentations and workshop activities promoting peer-to-peer learning.

Online Learning Activities

Online learning activities incorporate tutorials and asynchronous discussions. These may consist of active interaction, participation and contributions in fora discussions, sharing resources and self-reflection exercises.

Learners also contribute to the building of the community of practice by providing feedback to their peers as critical friends, enhancing the learner’s critical engagement throughout the study period.

The tutor provides continual support during both teaching -learning modes by providing information, readings and tasks relevant to the module in question.

The tutor provides continuous formative feedback as an on-going guidance during the student’s learning experience in preparation for their summative assessment.

How you’ll be assessed

Assessment of each module consists of two assignments, each carrying a weighting as below:

a) One Formative assignment carries 20% of total module mark achieved. b) One Summative assignment carries 80% of total module mark achieved.

For successful completion of a study module the student is required to achieve a minimum of 41% pass mark in both the formative and the summative assignment.

The overall grade achieved for each module is calculated as the sum of: · 20% of the mark achieved for formative assignment; and · 80% of the mark achieved for the summative assignment.

All assignment tasks of both formative and summative assessment aim to provide the learner an opportunity to produce evidence of his/her competences aligned to the learning outcomes of each individual Module.

Assessment

a) Formative assessment tasks are provided in the form of structured online discussions that support learners in their development throughout all of the modules studied.

Such discussions are facilitated and monitored by lecturer who provides students with constructive feedback to help them improve and prepare for summative assignment and dissertation.

For successful completion of a study module the student is required to achieve a minimum of 41% pass mark in the formative assignment.

b) Summative assessment is done via one assignment at the end of each module. The mode of assessment varies and may include in-class assignments, and home-based written assignments.

The required assessment tool for this module is submitting research proposal. Word count range: 3000 ± 10%

For successful completion of a study module the student is required to achieve a minimum of 41% pass mark in summative assignment.