EA3D005 - Independent Project 01 Sep 2016 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: EA3D005
Module Title: Independent Project
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: ITE and Education Practice
Faculty Sub Group: Early Years
Module Leader: Rhiannon Packer
Module Team: Claire Pescott, Hilary Morgan, Jodie Trotman, Jodene Jenkinson
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 40 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100463 - early years education
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2016
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

1. To review empirical findings and demonstrate a critical understanding of the existing body of literature in a chosen research area.

2. To develop and evaluate appropriate research activities which are relevant to their chosen area of interest.

3. To provide a justified rationale, identify a need for the management of change.

4. To support the collection, analysis and presentation of findings and include recommendations for practice.

Content Summary

Generating appropriate rationale

Researching and constructing literature reviews relating to relevant literature.

Data collection methods

Ethics of undertaking research and responsibility of the researcher in ensuring data is collected according to ethical guidelines (to include BERA Guidelines for ethical research, 2011)in relation to their project

Completion of USW research ethics form before undertaking own research

Responsibility to participants – voluntary, informed consent, right to withdraw, risk assessment, confidentiality and data protection when collecting data for their own research

Research ethics with children – assent/informed consent, approval from guardians or ‘responsible others’, dealing with disclosures in relation to their research project

Sampling

Data analysis

Presenting findings

Managing change processes

Making recommendations

Drawing conclusions from findings

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Seminar 18
Tutorial 2
Project supervision 8
Independent Study 300
Directed Study 52
Total Hours Selected 400

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Define an area of study, its nature, scope and significance and critically analyse reading and research pertinent to the chosen area of interest.
LO2 Carry out an investigation using a range of methodologies which, justified, interpret and analyse date
LO3 Present the results of the project in a clearly written, academically cogently argued, logical structured and appropriately referenced form.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Project (CW) 1 aerhaer 0 10000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Project (CW) 1

Reading List

Bell, J. (2005) Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education and social science [4th edition] Buckingham: Open University Press.

BERA (2011) Revised Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research BERA

Bulmer, M. (2003) Questionnaires Sage

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007) Research Methods in Education [6th edition] London and New York: Routledge.

Gillham, B. (2000) The research interview London : Continuum

Gorard, S. (2001) Quantitative methods in educational research : the role of numbers made London : Continuum

Hammersley, M. (1986) Case studies in classroom research: a reader Milton Keynes : Open University Press

Hart, C (1998) Doing a literature review: releasing the social science research imagination London: Sage

Oppenheim, A. (1966). Questionnaire design and attitude measurement. London: Heinemann

Pallant, J. (2001) SPSS survival manual: a step-by-step guide to data analysis using SPSS for Windows (Version 10) Buckingham: Open University Press.

Picciano, A. (2004) Educational research primer New York ; London : Continuum

Roberts, C. (2004) The dissertation journey: a practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation Thousand Oaks (Calif.; London) : Corwin

Stringer, E. (1996) Action research: a handbook for practitioners London : SAGE

Swetnam, D. Writing your dissertation : how to plan, prepare and present successful work Oxford : How to Books

Walliman, N. (2004) Your undergraduate dissertation : the essential guide for success London : SAGE