Course Title: Level 11 Course in Applied Research

 

Duration: 3 trimesters 

 

Trimester 1 - Research Skills:

Research skills refer to the ability to search for, locate, extract, organise, evaluate and use or present information that is relevant to a particular topic. Academic research is a specific type of research: a process of detailed and methodical investigation into some area of study.

 

Trimester 2 - Research Methods:

You study the necessary skills to successfully analyse and evaluate published research as well as conduct original research. You will cover various topics which include finding relevant literature and research design, and you will be able to present your research findings. This topic equips students with standard information retrieval skills, data presentation and scientific report/research proposal writing. It also allow students to acquire experience and general research skills essential for academic and research study.​

It also introduces the most frequently used research methods which include:

• Observation / Participant Observation.

• Surveys.

• Interviews.

• Focus Groups.

• Experiments.

• Secondary Data Analysis / Archival Study.

• Mixed Methods (combination of some of the above)

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Trimester 3 - Research Practice:

This involves the introduction of a pilot study. A pilot study asks whether something can be done, should the researchers proceed with it, and if so, how. However, a pilot study also has a specific design feature; it is conducted on a smaller scale than the main or full-scale study. In other words, the pilot study is important for improvement of the quality and efficiency of the main study. In addition, it is conducted in order to assess the safety of treatment or interventions and recruitment potentials, examine the randomization and blinding process, increase the researchers' experience with the study methods and provide estimates for sample size calculation. 

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Learning Philosophy

The learning philosophy for this course is research-rich (inquiry-based) learning. A research-rich approach moves away from the traditional teacher-focused approach, which sees students as recipients of knowledge, to a student-centred approach that develops students' true potential as researchers in training and as partners.

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The benefits of inquiry-based learning research:

• Celebrates Curiosity - most students are naturally curious. Builds Creativity.

• Enhances Problem-Solving Skills.

• Demonstrates Interconnectedness.

• Gives Students Autonomy.

• Provides Authentic Differentiation.

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The advantages include -  encourages students to actively:

• Question.

• Analyse.

• Evaluate information.

 

This active engagement leads to the development of superior critical thinking skills, enabling learners to assess situations and information more effectively.

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Articulation to Year 2 or Year 3 of PhD at University of Greater Manchester​​​​​​​​​​​