Module Details
| Module Code: |
57105 |
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Full Title:
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Research Methods
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| Valid From:: |
Semester 1 - 2020/21 ( September 2020 ) |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
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| Module Owner:: |
Karen Dunne
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| Module Description: |
This course will introduce the concepts of academic and scientific research. It will examine what research is and why it is carried out, the research process, and quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods approaches with illustrations from veterinary nursing/medicine. Students will be taught how to find and appraise evidence, conduct a literature search and utilise evidence to develop their own research questions, design a study, obtain ethical approval, gather and analyse data and disseminate findings.
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| Module Learning Outcome |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| # |
Module Learning Outcome Description |
| MLO1 |
Appraise the issues and methodologies surrounding research in veterinary and animal care contexts, including ethical principles and procedures. |
| MLO2 |
Critically evaluate own research and writing skills via analysis and critique of sample research papers. |
| MLO3 |
Justify, through evaluation of research methods, their own chosen methodology |
| MLO4 |
Conduct a literature review and design a research study to investigate a topic of their own choosing related to veterinary nursing, including obtaining ethical approval where necessary |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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| No recommendations listed |
| Module Indicative Content |
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Research project design
Academic rigour. Selecting and justifying a topic. Developing research question(s).
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Research ethics
Ethical principals and procedures. Engaging with the Institute's Ethical Guidelines on conducting research. Ethical principles for human research subjects. Ethical principles for animal research subjects.
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Research methodology
The principles of quantitative, qualitative and mixed method research designs. Quantitative methods: experimental designs, questionnaires and surveys, sampling and data analysis, statistical methods. Qualitative methods: field studies, open-ended questioning, individual and group interviews/focus groups, case studies. Qualitative data analysis.
An overview of mixed methods.
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Data interpretation and reporting
Critical appraisal, variables, reliability, validity, triangulation.
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Writing and reporting
Academic writing skills. Time management. Graphing and illustrating results. Writing for publication: posters, abstracts, journal articles. Presentation skills.
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Research skills
Statistical analysis: use of Excel and SPSS or similar software packages. Using technology to analyse qualitative data, such as voice typing tools for transcription, spreadsheet method for content/thematic analysis.
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Module Assessment
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
|---|
| Course Work | 100.00% |
| Module Special Regulation |
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AssessmentsFull-time
| Reassessment Requirement |
No repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will be offered solely on the basis of coursework and a repeat examination will not be offered.
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DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full-time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Lecture |
Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
4.00 |
4 |
| Directed Reading |
Non Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
5.00 |
5 |
| Independent Study |
Non Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
5.00 |
5 |
| Online (non-contact) |
Non Contact |
Blended learning |
Every Week |
3.00 |
3 |
| Tutorial |
Contact |
Applied analysis and statistics using sample data |
Every Week |
1.00 |
1 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
18.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
5.00 |
| Workload: Part-time |
| Workload Type |
Contact Type |
Workload Description |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Hours |
| Lecture |
Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
2.00 |
2 |
| Directed Reading |
Non Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
6.00 |
6 |
| Independent Study |
Non Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
6.00 |
6 |
| Online (non-contact) |
Non Contact |
No Description |
Every Week |
4.00 |
4 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
18.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.00 |
|
Module Resources
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| Supplementary Book Resources |
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Catherine Dawson. (2009), Introduction to research methods : a practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project, 4th.
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Neil J. Salkind. Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics, SAGE Publications Ltd..
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Gina Wisker. (2019), The undergraduate research handbook, 2nd. Red Globe Press.
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Denis F. Reardon. (2006), Doing your undergraduate project, SAGE Publications Ltd..
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John W. Creswell and David J. Creswell. (2018), Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches, SAGE Publications Ltd..
| | Recommended Article/Paper Resources |
|---|
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Liz Mossop. (2010), Number crunching or word deciphering?
Quantitative versus qualitative research, Veterinary Nursing Journal, 25(11).
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Helen Cartlidge. (2012), Collecting data and designing
experiments, The Veterinary Nurse, 3(6).
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Patricia Clarke. (2012), Veterinary nursing research: types,
importance and dissemination, The Veterinary Nurse, 3(3).
| | Other Resources |
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Website, Laerd Statistics,
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