Module Code: H8EIRM
Long Title ECEC Inquiry and Research Methods
Title ECEC Inquiry and Research Methods
Module Level: LEVEL 8
EQF Level: 6
EHEA Level: First Cycle
Credits: 10
Module Coordinator: Meera Oke
Module Author: Stephanie Roe
Departments: NCI Learning & Teaching
Specifications of the qualifications and experience required of staff  
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Understand purpose and process of conducting research studies.
LO2 Use academic language and a standardised referencing system.
LO3 Conduct literature searches relevant to the area of research inquiry.
LO4 Critically read and evaluate a range of academic literature.
LO5 Recognise and apply ethical principles in conducting research with children.
LO6 Choose appropriate research problems in the area of interest and formulate research questions.
LO7 Prepare a research proposal outlining appropriate research methodology.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is required before enrolment on this module. While the prior learning is expressed as named NCI module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
68369 H8CPBP Capstone ECEC Practice based Project
Entry requirements  
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Introduction to Educational and Research with Children
• Purpose and types of educational research. • Research approach – qualitative, quantitative and mixed method. • Research paradigms.
Academic writing skills
• Developing academic language and writing style. • Referencing sources using appropriate referencing style. • Avoiding plagiarism. • Developing strong arguments. Supporting ideas and arguments.
Reading and Evaluating Research
• Searching for appropriate academic literature. Conducting literature searches for published research. Using online databases, electronic journals, library resources etc. • Reading and understanding research. Evaluating published research papers. Using journal papers to gain understanding of writing styles, format and intended audience. • Conducting a literature review that will inform development of research questions.
Preparation of research proposal
• Choosing research topic in the area of interest. • Developing research aim and research questions. Developing hypotheses. • Time management. Developing framework for a research proposal. Understanding limitations.
Research design
• Qualitative and quantitative research methods. Deciding on the appropriate method(s) of data collection. • Sampling and research participants. • Developing research instruments. • Validity and reliability in educational research. • Methods of data analysis.
Ethics in Research
• Importance of ethics in educational and research with children. Addressing issues of access and informed consent/assent. Protection of research participants. Ethical issues in research involving children and/or vulnerable persons.
Writing up a capstone project
• Structure and elements of a capstone project. • Writing up findings and discussion chapter. Critical discussion of findings. • Introduction and conclusion to a capstone project. • Writing an abstract. • Linking sections and ensuring coherency and logical flow between the sections.
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Coursework
Assessment Type: Presentation % of total: 10
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,3,4,6
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Students will prepare a presentation on the topic in the area of interests outlining potential research inquiry and research questions and providing rationale for the study supported by the relevant academic sources.
Assessment Type: Assignment % of total: 60
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Students will submit a research proposal which outlines research inquiry situated in relevant academic literature, accompanied by a proposed research methodology.
Assessment Type: Assignment % of total: 30
Assessment Date: n/a Outcome addressed: 2,3,4,7
Non-Marked: No
Assessment Description:
Students will submit a literature review that informs capstone project.
No End of Module Assessment
No Workplace Assessment
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat failed items
The student must repeat any item failed
Reassessment Description
Students must pass all components of assessment on the module; a component fail leads to a component repeat.

NCIRL reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Module Target Workload Hours 0 Hours
Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Lecture 36 Per Semester 3.00
Independent Learning Independent Learning 178 Per Semester 14.83
Workbased learning Workbased learning 36 Per Semester 3.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 6.00
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • Bell, J. (2010), Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science, OUP/McGraw Hill.
  • Walliman, N. (2010), Research Methods: The Basics, Routledge, London.
  • Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K.. (2011), Research Methods in Education, 7th ed. Routledge, London.
  • Clough, P. & Nutbrown, C. (2012), A Student’s Guide to Methodology: Justifying Enquiry, Sage, London.
  • Fink, A. (2014), Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From the Internet to Paper, Sage, London.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • McNaughton and Rolfe. (2010), Doing Early Childhood Research: International Perspectives on Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. OUP/McGraw Hill Education.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
  • NCI Ethical Code for Education Programmes Research.
  • NCI Capstone Project Booklet.
Discussion Note: