Module Details

Module Code: DISS C4401
Module Title: Research Methods and Dissertation in Social Care Practice
Title: Research Methods and Dissertation in Social Care Practice
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Eileen Doyle
Module Author:: Carmel Smith
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is equip students with the knowledge and skills to carry out an ethical piece of research in relation to an aspect of social care professional practice
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate a professional approach and ethical responsibility regarding research in social care. D1: P1, P4, P8, P12, P13, P16, P17, P18, P19; D2: P5, P6;
LO2 Write a research proposal that demonstrates an understanding of key aspects involved in research design and practice. D1: P17, P18, P19; D2: P6. P7; D3: P5, P9; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17
LO3 Justify their choice of research methodology, method(s) and sample group. D1: P17, P18, P19; D3: P5, P9; D5: P5, P17;
LO4 Assess the role of research for the development of evidence informed practices and policies. D1: P13, P17, P18, P19; D2: P6, P7, P9; D3: P5, P9; D5: P5;
LO5 Produce a dissertation that contains a clear research question, literature review, discussion of methods, and discussion of key findings. D1: P18; D2: P6, P7, P9; D3: P5; D4: P4; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
9868 RECH C3402 Social Research Studies
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Ethical research issues
Conducting ethical research, Ethics policies and procedures. D1: P1, P4, P12, P13, P16, P17, P18, P19; D2: P5, P6
Research Proposal
Designing a research plan/strategy; action research; the cyclical practitioner-researcher model. D1: P17, P18, P19; D2: P6. P7; D3: P5, P9; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17
Developing Research Question(s)
Relevance and role of research to social care practice; Identifying and developing a research topic; Articulating a clear researchable question. D1: P13, P17, P18, P19; D2: P6, P7, P9; D3: P5, P9; D5: P5
Research Methodologies
Research methodologies - exploration and examples of Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods. D1: P17, P18, P19; D3: P5, P9; D5: P5, P17
Methods of Data Collection
Review of methods of data collection and relationship to methodological approaches; Use of qualitative and quantitative methods (including surveys, interviews, focus groups, documentary analysis). D1: P17, P18, P19; D2: P12; D3: P5, P6, P9; D5: P5, P6, P17
Sampling Participants
Examination of techniques of sampling; identification and recruitment of participants. D1: P17, P18, P19; D3: P5, P9; D5: P5, P17
Data Analysis
Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data; Techniques and approaches to analysis and their application. D1: P17, P18, P19; D3: P5, P9; D5: P5, P17
Producing a Dissertation
Preparing and writing a dissertation. D1: P17, P18, P19; D2: P6, P7; D3: P5, P9; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment25.00%
Project75.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Research proposal - D1: P1, P4, P12, P13, P16, P17, P18, P19; D2: P5, P6, P7; D3: P5, P9; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17;
Project
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 75
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,3,4,5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Research dissertation - D1: P1, P4, P12, P13, P16, P17, P18, P19; D2: P5, P6, P7, P9, D3: P5, P9, D4: P4; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17;
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lectures will incorporate a variety of teaching strategies - including traditional lecture delivery, discussions of readings and case-study examples. D1: P1, P4, P12, P13, P16, P17, P18, P19; D2: P5, P6, P7, P9; D3: P5, P9, D4: P4; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17 24 Weeks per Stage 3.00 72
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Supervision meetings between assigned supervisor and learner - D1: P1, P4, P12, P13, P16, P17, P18, P19; D2: P5, P6, P7, P9; D3: P5, P9; D4: P4; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17 24 Weeks per Stage 0.25 6
Independent Learning Time Non Contact Learning activities relating to research project - including in-depth reading and research, ethics documentation, development of data collection instruments, and data analysis. D1: P1, P4, P12, P13, P16, P17, P18, P19; D2: P5, P6, P7, P9; D3: P5, P9; D4: P4; D5: P2, P3, P5, P17 30 Weeks per Stage 5.73 172
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.25
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Helen Aveyard. (2018), Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care: A Practical Guide, 4th. Open University Press, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335248001].
  • Helen Aveyard,Pam Sharp,Mary Woolliams. (2015), A Beginner's Guide to Critical Thinking and Writing in Health and Social Care, 2nd. Open University Press, Maidenhead, p.192, [ISBN: 9780335264346].
  • Braun, V. and Clarke, C.. (2013), Successful Qualitative Research: a practical guide for beginners, Sage, London.
  • Chevalier, J.M. and Buckles, D.G.. (2019), Participatory Action Research: Theory and Methods for Engaged Enquiry, 2nd. Routledge, London.
  • Martyn Denscombe. (2017), The Good Research Guide, 6th. Open University Press, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335226863].
  • Martyn Denscombe. (2019), Developing Research Proposals: A Practical Guide, 2nd. Open University Press, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335248292].
  • Ranjit Kumar. (2019), Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners, 5th. Sage, London, [ISBN: 9781526449900].
  • McNiff, J.. (2017), Action Research: All You Need to Know, Sage, London.
  • Punch, K.F.. (2014), Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative & Qualitative Approaches, 3rd. Sage, London.
  • Colin Robson, Kieran McCartan. (2016), Real World Research: A Resource for Users of Social Research Methods in Applied Settings, 4th. John Wiley & Sons, London, p.560, [ISBN: 9781118745236].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Action Research Journal.
  • International Journal of Action Research (IJAR).
  • Child Care in Practice Journal.
  • Children's Research Digest.
  • Community Development Journal.
  • Community, Work and Family Journal.
  • Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies.
  • Journal of Practitioner Research.
  • Journal of Social Care.
  • Youth Studies Ireland Journal.
Other Resources
  • www.sciencedirect.com.
  • https://scholar.google.com/.
  • www.researchgate.net.
Discussion Note: