Module Title:Early Childhood Research Project
Credits: 10
NFQ Level:8
Module Delivered In No Programmes
Module Aim: The aim of this module is equip students with the knowledge and skills to carry out an ethical piece of research in an early childhood setting.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Understand a scientific approach to research in the social sciences and the ethical issues involved in research with children.
LO2 Distinguish between the nature and designs of quantitative and qualitative research.
LO3 Describe and discuss the design, data collection and data analysis in qualitative research.
LO4 Describe and discuss methods of sampling and questionnaire design in quantitative research.
LO5 Apply basic statistical skills to explore data in quantitative research.
LO6 Understanding the process of data analysis using computer software.
LO7 Synthesize skills in academic writing, referencing and research in order to carry out a qualitative piece of research and produce a dissertation at appropriate Level 8 standard.
LO8 Present their research at a research symposium.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
The Nature Of Research (10%)
• Research as Scientific • Description versus explanation • Research Questions • Models of Research • Introduction to quantitative and qualitative approaches to research • Conducting ethical research: ethical guidelines • Research with child participants • Research as a tool • Research proposals • Links to Siolta Standards 1, 4 and 8
Qualitative Research: Design, data collection & analysis (25%)
• Theoretical assumptions • Main features of qualitative research • Role of Researcher • Qualitative Research Designs • Case study • Ethnography • Grounded Theory • Action Research Collecting Qualitative Data • Ethical issues • Interviews, focus groups, observation, creative techniques Analysis Of Qualitative Data • Content analysis • Narrative analysis • Discourse Analysis • Grounded Theory Analysis
Quantitative Research: Design, data collection & analysis (15%)
• Theoretical Assumptions • Quantitative Designs • The experimental design • Sampling • Survey • Questionnaire design and layout • Types of questions • Reliability and validity • Data coding and entry • Sources of bias • Variables and level of measurement Quantitative Data Analysis • Preliminary concepts: cases; samples; variables; data; and, population • Mean, median, mode and proportions • Range and interquartile range • Variance and standard deviation • Bar charts, pie charts, histograms and scatter diagrams • Interpreting output from statistical software Computer analysis in quantitative research in the social sciences
Practical Approach to Research (10%)
• Your feelings • Professionalism • High quality research with children • Your responsibilities throughout the research process • Overall structure of your research dissertation • Your research timetable
Designing your Research: Methodology & research questions (20%)
• Area of interest • Writing research questions • Designing your research • Research paradigms and traditions • Your research plan • Your ethical considerations • Triangulation • Pilot study • Collecting data • Justifying your approach • Your reflective diary
Writing your Dissertation (20%)
• Literature Review • Why do a literature review • Sources of information • Difficulties • How to write a literature review • Analysis of data • Organising the data • Content analysis • Writing your discussion/conclusions • Sharing your research • Presentation preparation
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Other Research proposal in term 1 (2000 words) 1,2,3 15.00 n/a
Project Dissertation (8000-10,000 words) 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 70.00 n/a
Project Presentation of research at symposium in term 2 1,2,3,8 15.00 n/a
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 30 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Estimated Learner Hours 30 Weeks per Stage 3.67
Total Hours 200.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 1.50
Total Hours 1.50