Module Details

Module Code: EDUC8008
Title: Community Dissertation
Long Title: Community Dissertation
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( September 2019 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 10
Field of Study: 1420 - Education Studies
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: Advanced social research demands a high level of organisational, theoretical and research skills. As indicated in the Research Design Module, social research may also be problematic regarding its relationship to issues of community, social and/or political power. In essence, this module, via the chosen research topic(s), synthesises learning across diverse, intersecting domains, (such as the socio-political and economic spheres), culminating in the production of a substantial research report.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Provide a critically and ethically informed overview of the chosen research topic
LO2 Critique the skills, competences and knowledge necessary to the emancipatory research process
LO3 Critically analyse the ideas, information and issues arising within and from this research
LO4 Reflect and review the importance of ethics in the research process
LO5 Produce and present a fully referenced research report
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
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. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
'Doing the Research'
Data gathering techniques: selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative research: merits and demerits of each category
Ethics in Research
Confidentiality and its limits, boundaries, ethical obligations to 'the researched', defining informed consent; empowerment/power in the research relationships; methodological approaches
Research Report
Academic theoretical skills; writing up the data, ethical and other issues in data presentation alongside dissemination techniques (to both non-academic and academic audiences)
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,3,4
Assessment Description
Written report on work in progress
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 80
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Research Report - for example, on the subject of poverty, its lived effects at community level and relevant recommendations regarding supports to mitigate such effects.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture/workshop Every Week 3.00 3
Lecturer Supervised Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Primary and secondary research Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture - Research Workshop Every Week 3.00 3
Lecturer Supervised Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Primary and Secondary data preparation Every Week 4.00 4
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Sotirios Sarantakos. (2013), Social Research, 4th. Part 1, 2, 3, and 4, Palgrave MacMillan, New York, p.404, [ISBN: 9780230295322].
  • Bryman, A.. (2012), Social Research Methods, 4th. Oxford University Press, Oxford, p.808, [ISBN: 9780199689453].
  • Silverman, D. (Ed.). (2011), Qualitative Research, 3rd. Sage Publications, London, p.464, [ISBN: 9781849204170].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Banks, S. et al. (2011), Community-based participatory research: ethical challenges, AHRC Connected Communities, Centre for Social Justice and Community Action, Durham University, p.13.
  • Scott, D. & Russell, L.. (2005), Researching voluntary and community action. The potential of qualitative case studies, University of Manchester, Manchester, p.86, [ISBN: 1 85935 354 1].
  • Bennett, F. (with Roberts, M.). (2004), From input to influence: Participatory approaches to research and inquiry into poverty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, p.82, [ISBN: 85935 178 6].
  • Winkler, M. & N. Wallerstein. (2008), Community-Based Participatory Research for Health: From Process to Outcomes, 2nd. 1, 2, 5 & 6, Wiley/Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, California, p.544, [ISBN: 978-0-470-260].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • Frontiers Spotlight Public Participation in Health Care: Exploring the Co-Production of Knowledge. (2019), Exploring the Relationship (and Power Dynamic) Between Researchers and Public Partners Working Together in Applied Health Research Teams, Frontiers Spotlight, 2019, p.7.
  • Research Gate. (2018), Revisiting critical emancipatory research in school violence narratives. A quest for safe school. Educational Research for Social Change, Research Gate, October 2018, p.12.
Supplementary Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HCOED_8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Community Development 8 Mandatory