ED2S043 - Introduction to Research 01 Sep 2021 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ED2S043
Module Title: Introduction to Research
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: ITE and Education Practice
Faculty Sub Group: Early Years
Module Leader: Claire Pescott
Module Team: Wendy-Lee Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
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 2021
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

To develop an understanding of research design and implementation

To examine a range of research methods which can used when researching with children

To explore the ethical implications of research with children

Content Summary

What is research and why should it be conducted with children?

Children as social agents and experts in their own lives

Importance of research with rather than research on children

Research design – positivism versus interpretivism

Ethics: historical examples, consent, informed consent, assent, confidentiality, child protection and safeguarding
Using qualitative research methods with children

Using quantitative methods with children

Triangulation of research methods

Validity and reliability

Preparing a research proposal – aim and three specific research questions

Designing and planning a research study

Conducting a review of literature

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 20
Seminar 12
Tutorial 2
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 80
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 3
Formative Assessment - Independent 3
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Identify an area of study with regard to researching with children and justify this choice
LO2 Demonstrate a critical understanding of research methods and ethics and their suitability for use with children

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1 Research proposal 0 3000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Research Plan / Proposal / Project/ Log 1

Reading List

Alderson, P. and Morrow, V. (2011) The ethics of research with children and young people: A practical handbook. London: Sage.

Basit, T. (2010) Conducting research in Educational contexts. London: Continuum.

Bell, J. (2018) Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers. 7th edn. McGraw Hill: London.

British Educational Research Association [BERA] (2018) Ethical guidelines for Educational research, 4th edn. London. Available at: https://www.bera.ac.uk/researchers-resources/publications/ethicalguidelines-for-educational-research-2018

Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2017) Research methods in Education. 8th edn. London: Routledge.

Christenson, P. and James, A. (2017) Research with children: Perspectives and practices. 3rd edn. Oxon: Routledge.

Creswell, J. (2018) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods approaches. 5th edn. London: Sage

Denscombe, M. (2014) The good research guide. 5th edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Mukherji, P. and Albon, D. (2018) Research methods in early childhood: An introductory guide. 3rd edn. London: Sage

O’Reilly, M., Ronzoni, P.and Nisha, D. (2013) Research with children: Theory and practice. London: Sage.

Punch, K. (2014) Introduction to research methods in education. London: Sage.

Roberts-Holmes, G. (2018) Doing your early years research project: A step-by-step guide. 4th edn. London: Paul Chapman Publishing.

Thomas, G. (2017) How to do your research project: A Guide for Students. 3rd edn. London: Sage.