PPR400d: Theory and Methods in Postgraduate Studies (Distance Learning)

Objectives

The module serves to consolidate postgraduate research and learning support by providing opportunity for students to engage theories, methods and skills of direct relevance to their studies. The module is core for all PPR PGT students and complements core subject and discipline-specific module provision. The first five sessions of the module treat generic theories, methods and skills relating to postgraduate study and research. The next three sessions are given over to subject-specific input which is delivered separately by disciplinary specialists. The contents of these three sessions will be determined relative to discipline-specific needs. The final two sessions are dedicated to online discussions and presentations in respect of student projects through online forum and web seminar.

• The academic research process.
• Project planning, design and process management.
• Ethics in postgraduate research.
• Resource identification and review processes
• Data acquisition techniques and issues.
• Analytical and interpretative approaches.
• Academic conventions (e.g. making an argument, writing, referencing).
• Subject specific methods and skills.
• Online discussions and project planning presentations.

Suggested Reading:

Cooley, L. 2003. Dissertation Writing in Practice. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.

Creswell, J. 2003. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

Grix, J. 2010. The Foundations of Research. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Locke, L. F., Silverman, S. J., and Wyrick Spirduso, W. 2004. Reading and Understanding Research. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

McMillan, K. 2011. Study Skills for International Students. Harlow: Prentice Hall, 2011.

Potter, S. (ed.) 2006. Doing Postgraduate Research. 2nd ed. London: Sage.

Preece, R. A. 1994 Starting Research: an Introduction to Academic Research. London: Pinter Publishers.

Thody, A. 2006. Writing and Presenting Research. London: Sage.

Walliman, N. 2005. Your Research Project. 2nd ed. London: Sage.

Welsh, J. 1979 The First Year of Postgraduate Research Study. Guildford: Society for Research into Higher Education.

Wilkinson, D. 2005. The Essential Guide to Postgraduate Study. London: Sage.

Wisker, G. 2008. The Postgraduate Research Handbook. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

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