LSMRDM: Research Design Methods

Module code: LSMRDM

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Erhan Aslan, email: erhan.aslan@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This core module introduces students to basic principles of research and commonly used research designs, approaches, and techniques used in TESOL and Applied Linguistics. It aims to equip students with necessary knowledge and skills to conduct valid, ethical, and reliable research and use quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods techniques for data collection and analysis. The module also introduces the key elements of writing a research proposal (e.g., identifying a research topic/problem, formulating research questions/hypotheses, and operationalising variables) and provides the groundwork for the dissertation (LSMDIS) and portfolio (LSMDIP) modules. The module is distinctive in that it introduces students to a range of data analysis tools such as SPSS, MAXQDA, and corpus tools and provides opportunities to analyse a wide range of data on questionnaires, tests, learner language, discourse, and interviews. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles of research design, ethical issues in research, effective research instruments, and validity and reliability in research 
2. Define the main types of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in the fields of applied linguistics and TESOL 
3. Describe data quantitatively (using descriptive and inferential statistics) as well as qualitatively (using thematic/content analysis, discourse analysis 
4. Produce an organised and clearly written research proposal (dissertation track) or a critical analysis of research methods (portfolio track). 

Module content

The following topics will be introduced and discussed: definitions and types of research; the research process; starting points and general requirements of research; research instruments; qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods; ethical issues in research; and organising and writing up research.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module consists of interactive lectures, practical seminars, supervised practice in the computer lab. The module adopts an enquiry-based learning approach where students are given issues or scenarios to discuss in relation to research, data to analyse and interpret, and applying new knowledge in preparing their individual research proposal or critical analysis. 

Study hours

At least 23 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Feedback on research proposal topics and focus 

Reassessment

Additional costs