Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
| Module title | Qualitative Methods in Educational Research |
|---|---|
| Module code | ERPM011 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Alexandra Allan (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Through this module you will develop a critical understanding of interpretive research, and competence in the planning and execution of such research. The module will introduce you to the research traditions which are commonly considered a part of this approach, as well as those which closely overlap and align. It will also introduce you to a range of key concepts and principles which are significant in the interpretivist research tradition, and to some relevant methodologies and research methods. As a student on the module you will be required to: engage in some research design activities; develop some research tools; and practice some of the methods you have encountered on the module. Your work on the module will culminate in a small-scale interpretivist project which you will design and conduct yourself.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module focuses on the nature, planning and execution of interpretive research. It requires students to confront questions of methodology while attending, also, to those of method: research design, data collection, analysis and generation of theory. It aims to ensure that students develop a keen awareness of the centrality of the researcher in the processes of research design, data collection and analysis, and of ethical issues in interpretive enquiry. While the module aims to enable students to acquire a high level of competence in working with qualitative data in particular, it will require, also, that they become familiar with the ways in which other forms of data can serve interpretive research. The module also aims to enable students to develop understanding of and to make informed evaluation of relevant computer software for data analysis.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate a knowledge of the nature of interpretivist research;
- 2. demonstrate a knowledge of appropriate methods of data collection, analysis and theory generation for use in interpretivist research;
- 3. demonstrate a critical awareness of the place of qualitative and quantitative data in interpretive research;
- 4. demonstrate a critical awareness of the central place of the researcher in interpretive research, and notions of subjectivity and reflexivity;
- 5. identify ethical concerns in relation to different interpretive approaches;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. design and conduct a research project with due regard to the opportunities and limitations afforded by the methods utilised
- 7. demonstrate understanding of methodological principles through choice of appropriate research techniques in the light of complex problems;
- 8. read, understand and produce a critique of research papers and reports that have used qualitative approaches;
- 9. critically reflect on and evaluate your own research in order to improve it;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 10. demonstrate skills in self-management - in particular the management of time, tasks and evaluation of own learning;
- 11. demonstrate skills in personal judgement - particularly in respect of ethically sensitive issues;
- 12. demonstrate the ability to communicate and present ideas when writing and speaking and to listen effectively and persuade rationally;
- 13. demonstrate the ability to use ICT effectively - the use of electronic data bases in the library, email, word processing, the internet.
Syllabus plan
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 270 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 30 | 10 x 3 hour (including lectures, workshops and seminars), including on campus teaching and recorded sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | 70 | Collaborative group work |
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Reading and assignment preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | 100 | Writing summative assignment |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written task | Equivalent to 250 words | 1, 6, 12, 13 | Written |
| Written assignment | 1250 words | 1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment: Reflective journal and essay | 100 | 5,000 words in total, 3,500 word essay and reflective journal equivalent to 1,500 words | 1-13 | Written and grade |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment | Written Assignment: Reflective journal and essay (As above) | 1-13 | 6 weeks from notification of failure or re-entry onto programme |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | Yes |
| Origin date | 31/08/2011 |
| Last revision date | 07/07/2020 |
