Research Methods in Education and Psychology

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Courses / Modules / EDUC2054 Research Methods in Education and Psychology

When you'll study it: Whole Academic Year
CATS points: 30
ECTS points: 15
Level: Level 5
Module lead: Stephen Sowa
Academic year: 2026-27

Module overview

The aims of the module are to: •Raise awareness of a variety of research designs for educational research •Further develop your knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methods; data collection and analysis; and, correctly reporting research findings •Develop your own research proposal from initial research question to research design, data collection and data analysis and methods

Aims and Objectives

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of research design for education and psychology
Design appropriate research tools for collecting empirical data from educational contexts
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of data collection methods and analysis

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Critically reflect on your skills, practices and knowledge
Report and effectively communicate the results of research
Critically evaluate published research
Recognise the need to manage time and resources

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

Report educational research findings in an appropriate format
Use appropriate statistical analysis software
Design research tools and select appropriate data analysis methods for qualitative or quantitative empirical data
Develop a research proposal from initial research question to research design, data collection and data analysis and methods

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

This module include 3-hours session for 24 weeks which are run as workshops, practicals, and plenaries as appropriate. The sessions will include peer feedback and assessment opportunities, and whole group interactive learning. Where useful, technology will be used to support the session.

Study time
Type	Hours
Wider reading or practice	24
Completion of assessment task	48
Preparation for scheduled sessions	84
Teaching	72
Revision	24
Follow-up work	48
Total study time	300

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Devices for statistical sessions. Devices for statistical sessions - students will need to work on their own devices during stats sessions. Download SPSS before sessions, UoS license.

Online videos and resources will be made available..

SPSS Software. SPSS, available via http://software.soton.ac.uk

Textbooks

Field, A. (2013). ��Ƭing Statistics Using IBM SPSS Statistics. London: Sage.

Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. London: Routledge.

Lichtman, M (2010). Qualitative Research in Education: a User's Guide.. London: Sage.

Punch, K (2009). Introduction to Research Methods in Education. London: Sage.

Muijs, D (2004). Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. London: Sage.

Sharp, J (2009). Success with your Education Research Project.. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Denscombe, M (2014). The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects. Maidenhead UK: McGraw-Hill Education.

Assessment

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Research proposal

Assessment Type: Formative
Feedback:
Final Assessment: No
Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Quantitative practical write-up	20%
Qualitative data collection and analysis exercise	20%
Reflective log	20%
Research proposal	40%

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Reflective log	20%
Research proposal	40%
Quantitative practical write-up	20%
Qualitative data collection and analysis exercise	20%

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Research proposal	40%
Qualitative data collection and analysis exercise	20%
Reflective log	20%
Quantitative practical write-up	20%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External

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