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Module Overview

Research Skills

This module introduces students to key skills and principles of qualitative and quantitative academic research, from formulating a research question to analysing and interpreting data and statistics. The module will act as a foundation for students in completing assignments across their entire third-level experience. Student are not only offered an opportunity for lifelong learning through the module and its associated programmes (in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4) but they are equipped to more actively engage with the published research and statistics related to a range of topics. This module will also include instruction in the use of suitable software.

Module Code

STUD 1006

ECTS Credits

5

*Curricular information is subject to change

Primary and secondary research

Exploring the differences between research questions that can be answered through primary and secondary research and sources

Research questions

The characteristics of a well-designed research question; formulating and improving sample research questions

Secondary sources

Effective search strategies for online search engines, electronic journals and academic databases

Reference data management

Using referencing tools and reference manager software

Primary data collection

Question types and surveys/questionnaires/interviews design

Statistics and data analysis

Fundamental descriptive and inferential statistics; measures of centre and spread and tests for independence

Presenting data

Charts, tables, graphs and data visualisation

Ethics, integrity and sustainability

Issues around ethics in research design, data and privacy, sustainability and research integrity

Students will meet weekly for either lectures, computer lab based classes, or directed group work. The key concepts and ideas of the module regarding research skills and data analysis will be presented and discussed and the students will be asked to contribute to group discussions and to complete small tasks to demonstrate their competence. Computer lab classes will be used to ensure students have the necessary digital skills to complete these tasks to a sufficient standard, and to access the required online supports and resources. Discussing their own work allows for students to apply their digital skills, develop their interpersonal skills, and learn from each other in a supportive and non-competitive manner. Independent research into a topic will allow the student to demonstrate their proficiency in conducting research and organising and interpreting the fruits of that research.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown %
Other Assessment(s)100