Module Details

Module Code: EDUC9031
Title: Play Therapy Research Methods
Long Title: Play Therapy Research Methods
NFQ Level: Expert
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: This module reviews and consolidates the learning of the research process, building on the students' undergraduate knowledge. The various research approaches and strategies in the social sciences are applied, particularly, in the context of play therapy research. The planning and process of research will cover proposal writing, review of literature and writing of literature review, research design, data analysis and interpretation, critical discussion, recommendation and presentation of research.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explore and identify research topics, issues, and questions in the context of play therapy.
LO2 Identify, compare, and distinguish the various research traditions and approaches and assess which approaches are most suitable for the research area.
LO3 Recognize, use, assess and critique the appropriate academic sources for the research area using libraries and digital sources.
LO4 Explore and evaluate various research tools used in social sciences and consider suitability for play therapy and the proposed research area.
LO5 Apply research to professional development and practice in order to improve personal and professional outcomes which take into account the ethical considerations that need to be examined and addressed in play therapy research.
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
Review of the research process
Explore and engage with academic research processes and their evolution in different disciplines and their application to play therapy research
Identification and development of research topic and areas,
Choice of research topic based on demands of the profession, personal, and career development, evidence-based practice and study feasibility.
Research Design
Formulating a research proposal. Developing a literature review. Understanding different research approaches, their strength and weaknesses. Developing a methodology suitable for proposed research.
Research Ethics
Ethical considerations. Research ethics boards. Ethical dilemmas in play therapy research. Ethical codes. Research with children and vulnerable groups.
Analysis and Interpretation of data
Quantitative data analysis and use of Statistical Package Software. Measures of association and significance in difference. Use of software and online sources for research tool development and Statistical Package for tabulation, correlation, statistical and graphical interpretation. Descriptive and some Inferential Statistics. Null Hypothesis testing. Reliability checks. Qualitative data analysis and interpretation including; Thematic analysis.Content analysis. Secondary data. Ethnographic data. Cross-validation. Non-verbal measures. Projective techniques.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 50
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Literature Review
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2,4,5
Assessment Description
Methodology
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

This module has no Full Time workload.
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Theory Every Week 2.00 2
Lab Contact Small group Every Week 1.00 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Reading and assignment 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
  • Bryman, A.. (2016), Social Research Methods, 5th. Oxford University Press, Oxford, [ISBN: 9780199689453].
  • Ridley, D.. (2012), The Literature Review : A step-by-step guide for students., 2nd. SAGE, London, [ISBN: 9781446201435].
  • Baggerly, J.; Dee R.; Bratton, S. (Eds). (2010), Child-Centered Play Therapy Research: The Evidence Base for Effective Practice, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, [ISBN: 9780470422014].
  • Creswell, J.W.. (2014), Research Design, 4th. SAGE, London, [ISBN: 9781452274614].
  • Bergin, T.. (2018), An introduction to Data Analysis: Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Methods, SAGE, London, [ISBN: 9781446295151].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Oliver, P.. (2012), Succeeding with your Literature Review: A handbook for students, McGraw-Hill, Maidenhead, [ISBN: 9780335243686].
  • Sandy Fraser. (2003), Doing research with children and young people, SAGE, London, [ISBN: 0761943811].
  • Silverman, D.. (2016), Qualitative Research, 4th. SAGE, London, [ISBN: 9781473916579].
  • Marilyn J. Field and Richard E. Berman. (2004), The Ethical Conduct of Clinical Research Involving Children, http://books.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10958, [ISBN: 10: 0309091810].
  • Matthew B. Miles, A. Michael Huberman. (1994), Qualitative data analysis, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, [ISBN: 0803955405].
  • Mertens, D.. (2005), Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology: Integrating Diversity with Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods., Sage Publications., San Francisco/London:, [ISBN: 10: 141297190X].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HPLTH_9 Master of Arts in Play Therapy 5 Mandatory