INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH - 2024/5

Module Overview

This module develops students' understanding of the principal qualitative and quantitative research methods for higher education contexts and will provide them with opportunities to practice and apply these methods.

Module provider

Literature & Languages

Module Leader

DIPPOLD Doris (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative topics include:

• Research design & writing research questions 


• Investigating classroom Interaction


• Conducting interviews for research


• Thematic Analysis & Content analysis


• Critical Discourse Analysis


• Questionnaire Design


• Statistical Analysis

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate skills in writing qualitative and quantitative research projects, planning research projects with a focus on either the data collection or the analysis stage and reflecting on the research process.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• A 1500 word essay focusing on quantitative methodologies (LO 1, 2, 3, 4). You will be asked to design research questions and instruments and demonstrate their skills in applying statistical tests.


• A 1500 word essay focusing on qualitative methodologies (LO 2, 4, 5). You will be asked to conduct qualitative data collection or analysis and reflect on the process.

Formative assessment / feedback: You will receive feedback on assignment 1 in the form of practical advice that fees directly into the second assignment. You will also receive verbal feedback on practical exercises throughout the class and will be able to discuss plans for the assignment(s) with the module tutor.

Module aims

• develop students' understanding of the nature and methods of quantitative research approaches in higher education contexts
• develop students' understanding of the nature and methods of qualitative research approaches in higher education contexts
• enable students to develop questions and procedures (data collection, and analysis) which allow them to address problems pertaining to educational practice

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to encourage interaction and communication with all group members. The mode of study is online and therefore the synchronous seminars and discussion board activities are crucial to the development of a group identity.

Captured content

You will have access to pre-recorded short videos and different supporting resources such as pdf slides, short articles and language learning materials. The captured content aims to develop understanding of key concepts and theories. You will be expected to engage with the captured content in order to participate in the interactive activities both online and in the synchronous sessions. All the captured content will be accompanied by a guided learning worksheet. In order to maximise the learning opportunities from the captured content, and to make links to the in-session material, you will be expected to engage with the captured content prior to the synchronous sessions.. All the captured content will be accompanied by a guided learning worksheet which you will be expected to complete prior to the synchronous sessions. Engagement with the captured content and other online resources support the development of your digital capabilities and ability to work autonomously.

Weekly synchronous seminar sessions

The synchronous seminar sessions will build on the captured content and will allow students to explore issues and reflect on their own practices. It is expected that you will bring your completed guided learning worksheet to these sessions. These synchronous seminar sessions will involve interactive tasks either whole class or in break out rooms, quizzes and presentations. The aim of the seminar sessions is to apply the theories and concepts from the captured content to your own learning and teaching contexts and to critique the theories presented in the literature. To maximise the potential for sharing ideas and learning from others, you will be expected to participate in whole group and smaller group activities and discussions based on the pre-session and in-class material. Discussions and other class activities, including engagement with data analysis software, will develop your digital capabilities and your employability through collaboration and problem-solving.

Guided study

The guided study comprises a number of reading activities drawing on the key literature in the field. All readings are accompanied by a reading comprehension worksheet which will allow you to read key texts and engage with theories in their own contexts. Guided study aims to encourage independent work and develop planning and monitoring skills.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ELAM022

Other information

Surrey's Curriculum Framework is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability: Modern careers in a complex world increasingly demand from graduates to ability to make evidence-based decisions in order to inform policies, workplace training, recruitment or other issues. This module enables you to develop the research skills necessary to gather and then analyse relevant evidence, using both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The module thus enhances your practical communication skills developed in business communication modules and provides you with the skills to design and conduct research on their own rather than relying on published evidence. Moreover, the module develops your skills in interpreting published research, thus supporting students' research for your final Business Projects.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: Conducting research, in particular research with a human focus, is naturally imbued with a range of obstacles relating to data collection, researcher positionality and maintaining objectivity in data analysis. Assignments 1 and 2 allow you to practice and apply these skills in relation to both quantitative and qualitative research, developing your ability to reflect on the research process and find ways of becoming resilient in the face of obstacles and apply strategies to overcome these obstacles.

Digital Capabilities: There are many different tools available on the marketplace which support quantitative and qualitative research. This module introduces you to two of these tools - Nvivo and SPSS or Qualtrix - thus equipping you with digital skills that are directly transferable to your future workplaces, be they in the academic world or in commercial contexts.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.