Explore our Foundation Research Methods in Education PGA course.

P-X9Y6

Postgraduate Award (PGA)

1 term part-time

3 October 2022

Education Studies

University of Warwick

This award is made up of one module that will help you understand, design and carry out research in the field of Education. It is suitable for anyone who is interested in researching any aspect of Education – whether you are a practitioner who is looking to apply research to practice or someone who is interested in researching Education from a more theoretical perspective.

The Postgraduate Award in Foundation Research Methods in Education will provide you with knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues involved in conceptualising and designing educational research.

It includes general and specific aspects of research training including key dimensions of qualitative and quantitative research, their applications, understanding of relational aspects between them, and appreciation of the politics and ethics of doing educational research. The module is designed to contextualise educational research, in terms of its theoretical, epistemological and methodological underpinnings, for a broad cross section of students, enabling you to understand different facets of educational research in an integrated and coherent fashion.

The aim of the assessment method is to lead to research design and dissertation planning. In addition, practical skills are built into the module, through workshops, seminars and tutorials, designed to develop library, software, web and applied IT search skills, and research skills relevant to your needs and interests.

Skills from this course

• Understand the stages in designing and carrying out research in the field of Education
• Engage critically with the theoretical and methodological grounds on which education research is based
• Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of educational research from different perspectives and methodologies
• Gain familiarity with different research practices in relation to a range of empirical investigations within educational settings
• Be able to identify a topic to research and design and carry out a small scale research project in a field of interest to you
• Be able to communicate your research to different users

Depending on which module you select, the course is either delivered entirely online, through a dedicated distance learning portal or face to face over two terms. For the online variant, you will use a mixture of online text extracts and journals, and will undertake regular tasks alongside their end of module assignments. Support will be given via email with your subject tutor. Alternatively, the course will be delivered through a variety of teaching methods: lectures, seminars, discussions, presentations and case studies.

Class Size

Support will be given via email with your subject tutor.

The assessment on this course supports students to think about their dissertation project and for students taking the face to face route consists of a poster, a 5-10 minute presentation and a reflective account all of which focus on their dissertation research plans.

Additional course costs

You may wish to undertake some research with children or young people that may require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or a Certificate of Good Conduct for students from outside of the UK. A DBS check costs around £70 and a Certificate of Good Conduct can vary in price.

Find out more about our additional course costs.

Reading lists

Most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library. If you would like to view reading lists for the current cohort of students you can visit our Warwick Library web page.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.

2:ii undergraduate degree (or equivalent).

• Band B
• IELTS score to 7 overall, two at 6.0/6.5 & rest 7.0+

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Foundation Research Methods in Education (face to face or online)

This module encourages students in understanding, designing and implementing research in the field of education. It will introduce you to a range of established research strategies and techniques, including data collection and analysis. These skills will enable you to design and carry out a dissertation research project, as well as to disseminate its findings. As part of this module, you will present your research design and have the opportunity to receive feedback ahead of completing your dissertation.

Optional Modules

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