Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Principles of Research Methodology
Module Code	MG610
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Gerry Conyngham Semester 2: Gerry Conyngham Autumn: Gerry Conyngham
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the core principles underpinning quantitative and qualitative methods, allowing them to understand how each informs a distinctive mindset in the field, and to assess their respective suitability in studying particular dimensions of human behaviour.

Learning Outcomes

1. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative research orientations
2. Identify the merits and demerits of combined multi-method studies in quality research journals
3. Identify the appropriate uses of parametric and non-paramteric statistical techniques and the interpretation of associated statistical tests
4. Demonstrate the ability to critique the relevance and quality of methodological detail presented in a range of research journal publications
5. Evaluate the respective sampling modes in both quantitative and qualitative research

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecturer-supervised learning (contact)	24	Classroom based discussions and reviews of topics
Directed learning	50	Review of academic articles in preparation for class
Independent learning	51	Exploration of relevant qualitative and quantitative techniques
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

• Theoretical, contextual and organisational underpinnings for choosing quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Quantitative and qualitative perspectives on the role of the researcher.

• Research questions, and relevant ‘data’ as understood in both approaches.
Probability, sampling, and distribution. Sampling in qualitative research..

• Hypotheses testing, power of test and confidence testing.
• Non-parametric testing procedures.

• Evaluation modes in quantitative and qualitative research.
• Triangulation in business and management research.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assignment	Students will be expected to submit a 2500 - 3000 word paper on the range and nature of research methodologies currently employed in the area in which they intend to carry out their primary doctoral research.	100%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

Alan Agresti, Barbara Finlay: 2009, Statistical methods for the social sciences, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, N.J., 0130272957
Alan Bryman, Emma Bell: 2007, Business research methods, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 978-0-19-928498-6
editors, Norman K. Denzin, Yvonna S. Lincoln: 2005, The SAGE handbook of qualitative research, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, 9780761927570
Ronald A. McQueen, Christina Knussen: 2006, An introduction to research methods and statistics in psychology, Pearson Education, Essex, England, 0131249401
Robert L. Miller... [et al.]: 2002, SPSS for social scientists, Palgrave, New York, 0333922867
by Michael Quinn Patton: 2002, Qualitative research and evaluation methods, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, Calif., 0761919716
Barbara G. Tabachnick, Linda S. Fidell: 2007, Using multivariate statistics, Pearson/Allyn & Bacon, Boston, 0205465250
Daniel B. Wright: 0, First steps in statistics, 0761951636
W. Paul Vogt,: 0, Quantitative Research Methods for Professionals in Education and Other Fields, 0205359132

Other Resources

None

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Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013Please note that this information is subject to change.

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.