University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module aims to provide doctoral students with a platform for engagement with and critical discussion about 1) specific research methodologies used in Education and other Social Sciences, 2) central issues germane to the research process in Educational and Social Science research, and 3) aspects of research development and training relevant for doctoral students. Given the prevalence of educational research in many other disciplines, and the relevance of educational research methodologies to many other disciplines of inquiry (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Nursing Education, Physics Education and so forth), this module is open to all doctoral students at NUI Galway. The module consists of approximately 30 contact hours; spread over 15 two-hour sessions. The majority of sessions focus on types of, and issues related to, research methodology in Education (and other Social Sciences), and the remaining sessions are aimed at supporting the doctoral student’s development as a beginning researcher, including presenting on and disseminating their research, preparing for their viva voce and exploring employment options at the post-doctoral level. The teaching and learning approach takes the form of active discussion-based sessions following individual (prescribed) methodological readings and active workshop activities, interspersed with lecture input.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Appropriately locate and explain their doctoral research study with regard to its philosophical underpinnings;
  2. Construct a suitable research design aligned to their research questions and aims;
  3. Apply their knowledge of ethical issues and procedures to their research design, with particular reference to researching with children and/or young people;
  4. Better apply their knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research procedures;
  5. Effectively engage in various research examination and dissemination activities, including preparing for the viva voce, writing and submitting an abstract, presenting at a conference and writing for publication; and
  6. Critically examine employment opportunities in and outside of academia.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Research Methods in Education" by Cohen, Manion and Morrison
    Publisher: Routledge
  2. "Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches" by Creswell
    Publisher: Sage
  3. "Constructing grounded theory: a practical guide through qualitative analysis" by Charmaz
    Publisher: Sage
  4. "Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions" by Creswell
    Publisher: Sage
  5. "Social Research Methods" by Bryman, Bell and Teevan
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
  6. "The Sage handbook of qualitative research" by Denzin and Lincoln
    Publisher: Sage
  7. "The student’s guide to research ethics" by Oliver
    Publisher: OUP
  8. "Quantitative Methods in Educational Research: The role of numbers made easy" by Gorard
    Publisher: Continuum
The above information outlines module ED6167: "Educational Research Methodology and Development " and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.