ED3S015 - Practice-based Research - Practice-based Action Research 21 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ED3S015
Module Title: Practice-based Research - Practice-based Action Research
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Post Compulsory Education
Faculty Sub Group: Post Compulsory Education
Module Leader: Alison Straker
Module Team: Jodie Rees, Holly Donohoe, Phill Jones, Alexandra Clarke, Sara Davies, Michael Holley, Mandy Evans, Jodene Jenkinson, Leigh Webber, Matt Eggerton, Tracey Dobbs, Alison Straker, Sophie Meace-Williams
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100454 - adult education
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 21 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

• To extend critical reflection and analysis of own classroom practice, in order to identify and address a meaningful area for development
• To extend critical understanding of how theory relates to practice in an identified area for professional development
• To extend understanding and practice in research design and ethics, by designing a professionally meaningful small-scale action research project
• To develop professional communication skills and critical thinking by gathering and analysing qualitative data from a range of sources e.g. discussions with learners, interviewing colleagues
• To extend professional communication skills and digital literacies through the critical discussion of research-in-progress using videocast, podcast or other appropriate media

Content Summary

Participants design a small-scale, qualitative action research project to investigate and address an area of their classroom practice which they have identified as an area of concern. The taught content of the module will help participants to engage with ethical research methods and to develop their understanding of pedagogic theory in practice e.g.
• identifying a key area of concern in own practice (e.g. motivation, differentiation, assessment for learning)
• extending theoretical and pedagogic understanding in chosen research area
• recognising how reflective practice can develop into an action research cycle
• research ethics and your project
• learning from your learners: supportive and participatory interview and other data-gathering practices
• identifying and gathering evidence from learning and teaching events
• undertaking qualitative data analysis

There is also an emphasis on supporting the research process within taught sessions, and group and individual tutorials are crucial to help participants review and develop their projects.
This module embeds the following cross-cutting themes:
• Professional and ethical standards
• Supporting the teaching and research nexus
• Developing literacies for learning and professional life
• Authentic and socially-situated learning

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 25
Seminar 5
Practical classes and workshops 10
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 55
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 5
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a critically-informed, ethical and learner-centred approach to practice-based research.
LO2 Design and implement effective and critically-informed interventions to address identified concerns and critically evaluate own practice using credible and convincing sources of data.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Portfolio Portfolio 1 Present an aspect of your action research in progress, using appropriate and innovative media (e.g. podcast, videocast) and including plans for evaluation of your project A written report of all stages of your action research, with appended data as appropriate 0 N/A 85 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1 A detailed research protocol including ethics considerations 0 900 15 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1
Research Plan/Proposal/Project/Log (CW) 1

Reading List

Appleby, Y. & Barton, D. (2008) Responding to people’s lives – developing adult teaching and learning: practitioner guides Leicester: NIACE

British Educational Research Association (2018) Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research 4th Edition [online] https://www.bera.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/BERA-Ethical-Guidelines-for-Educational-Research_4thEdn_2018.pdf?noredirect=1 (accessed 21 August 2019)

Forster, C. & Eperjesi R. (2017) Action Research for New Teachers: evidence-based evaluation of practice London: Sage

Koshy, V. (2010) Action Research for Improving Educational Practice: a step-by-step guide 2nd Edition London: Sage

McNiff, J. (2017) Action Research: all you need to know London: Sage

Peart, S. (2014) Equality and Diversity in Further Education Northwich: Critical Publishing

Spenceley, L. (2014) Inclusion in Further Education Northwich: Critical Publishing