Module Details

Module Code: n/a
Full Title: Research Project
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2023/24 ( September 2023 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 2 Semesters
Credits:: 25
Module Owner:: Brid Delahunt
Departments: Life and Health Sciences
Module Description: This year-long module provides the student with the opportunity to design and conduct a research study relevant to the disciplines of Health and Nutrition, Physical Activity or Food Sciences. Throughout the research process the student will be supported by a research supervisor, who will guide and review the student’s progress.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Plan and design a study to address a worthwhile research question in the area of Health and Nutrition, Physical Activity or Food Sciences
MLO2 Apply ethical principles in the design of this study.
MLO3 Gather and analyse data using appropriate techniques.
MLO4 Interpret findings and use them to address the research question.
MLO5 Prepare a dissertation based on this work.
MLO6 Design a poster/presentation for a conference based on the completed study
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).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Developing and reporting research
Developing a rationale; formulating a research question; the relationship between research question, methods and analysis; interpreting findings; writing-up research.
Research Ethics
Ethical principles in research; ethics through the project's life cycle; managing informed consent, anonymity & confidentiality, right of withdrawal; internet research; research with vulnerable groups; managing risk.
Quantitative data collection
Review of experimental designs; correlational designs; surveys; psychometrics; sampling and sample size; content analysis
Quantitative data analysis
Review of descriptive statistics; effect size; variation and statistical inference; probability; the normal distribution; tests of association between 2 variables; tests of difference between two variables; analysis of variance; regression; using SPSS to analyse data
Qualitative methodologies
Qualitative Descriptive, Grounded Theory; Phenomeonological approaches; Discourse analysis; Narrative analysis.
Qualitative data collection and analysis
Interviews and focus groups; analysis of documents; transcribing; managing data; thematic analysis as a foundational method.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work90.00%
Practical10.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Proposal for research study /Ethical approval
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 70
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Research Dissertation. This should include the following sections: Abstract,
Introduction & Rationale, Literature Review, Method, Results, Discussion,
References & Appendices. It should not exceed 9,000 words (excluding
References and Appendices).
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 6
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Design a poster or presentation for a conference based on the study methods and findings
No Final Examination
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.

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
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Supervision Every Second Week 0.50 1
Lecture Contact This is a year long module. Students undertaking quantitative research projects should be facilitated in a computer lab. Every Week 4.00 4
Directed Reading Non Contact This is a year long module Once per semester 10.00 150
Independent Study Non Contact This is a year long module Once per semester 5.00 75
Total Weekly Learner Workload 19.50
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.50
This module has no Part-time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Braun, V. Clarke, V. (2021), Thematic Analysis: A Practical Guide, Sage Publications Limited, London, [ISBN: 978-1473953246].
  • Bell, J. Waters, S. (2018), Doing Your Research Project: a Guide for First-Time Researchers, 7th. Mc Graw -Hill Education, New York, [ISBN: 978-0335243389].
  • Carlson, K.A Winquist, JR. (2021), An Introduction to Statistics: An Active Learning Approach, 3rd ed. Sage Publications LTD, London, [ISBN: 978-1544375090].
  • Creswell, J. W. Creswell, J.D. (2022), Research Design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches, 6th. Sage Publications LTD, London, [ISBN: 978-1071817940].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Braun, V. & Clarke, V.. (2006), Using thematic analysis in psychology, Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), p.77-101, [ISSN: 1478-0887].
  • Maguire , M. & Delahunt, B.. (2017), Doing a Thematic Analysis: A Practical, Step-by-Step Guide for Learning and Teaching Scholars., All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 9 (3), p.3351,
    http://ojs.aishe.org/index.php/aishe-j/a rticle/viewFile (Please check out Supplementary Files published with article)
  • Maguire, M., Delahunt, B. & Everitt-Reynolds, A. (2013), No title provided, In R. Donnelly, J. Dallat & M. Fitzmaurice (Eds). Supervising and writing a good undergraduate dissertation., Doing the right thing: A practical guide to ethics for undergraduate researchers, Bentham Science Publishers, p.109,
    http://eprints.dkit.ie/328/
This module does not have any other resources