School of Computing, Engineering & Information Sciences

IS0430: Research Methods

Module Guide
&
Workbook

2009/2010
Semester 1
 School of Computing, Engineering & Information Sciences
2009/2010, Semester 1

Module Guide
IS0430: Research Methods
Module Tutor and Teaching Team:
Margaret Graham (Module tutor) Dr Akhtar Ali
Pandon Building 104 Pandon Building 101
margaret.graham@northumbria.ac.uk akhtar.ali@northumbria.ac.uk

Deborah Burns David Hind

Squires Workshop Squires Workshop
d.burns@northumbria.ac.uk d.hind@northumbria.ac.uk

Professor Sean Danaher Ed Hyatt

Ellison Building E410 Pandon Building 031
sean.denaher@northumbria.ac.uk ed.hyatt@northumbria.ac.uk

Dr Becky Strachan
Pandon Building 212
rebecca.strachan@northumbria.ac.uk

Overview
This module introduces students to the nature of research and the processes involved in carrying
out research. Whilst there is a particular focus on literature searching, evaluation and reviewing,
general research approaches and methods will also be discussed. Students will also develop their
generic academic skills. Assessment is a mixture of formative exercises culminating in a Research
Proposal, on a topic related to the student’s programme of study. Theory will be delivered in
lectures while seminars will be used to put principles into practice. The module prepares students
for their respective dissertations/projects.

Module Credit
IS0430 is a 10 credit module, with a notional student workload of 100 hours.

Aims of Module
 To develop a critical appreciation of the various philosophies and principles underlying
research.
 To provide students with the ability to discuss, evaluate and use a variety of research
approaches, methods and techniques.
 To develop a professional and ethical approach to carrying out research and an
understanding of the potential uses of research.
 To provide students with relevant competencies in information retrieval and reviewing
abilities.

Learning Outcomes
 Identify and articulate appropriate research questions.
  Search, retrieve, select and critically evaluate information – especially published literature
in books, journals and web resources – to support research.
 Write a literature review in a scholarly style appropriate to dissertations and projects at
masters’ level.
 Critically evaluate various research approaches, methods and techniques.

On-line Access
Course material is available on-line using the eLearning Portal under the module identifier:
2009S01_IS0430ZNN: Research Methods

Lecture notes, assignment briefs and other material will be made available online. Notices and
announcements will also be posted on the module site. It is important that you check regularly for
new information and resources as well as any messages from your tutors.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Typically, each week will consist of a one hour lecture and two hours of seminars (see Teaching
Scheme on next page). One seminar session will supplement the lecture content, whilst the
second hour concentrates on developing research related skills. We encourage maximum student
participation. Whilst some preparation for the activities will be done in class, students will be
required to undertake reading of research methods texts and subject related material and other
sources of information as crucial background reading and further seminar preparation. Students’
independent study time (i.e. private study, outside of lecture or seminars) is an important part of
the notional student workload, as appropriate at Masters level.

Module Assessment
The module is assessed by a Research Proposal, on a topic of your own choosing.

Throughout the module students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of aspects of the
research process and research methods, through completion of formative exercises and
discussions in class. Exercises will be undertaken in class time during seminars or in students’
own time. The workbook, comprising the exercises will be a useful resource for students to refer to
later in their course, e.g. at the project/dissertation stage.

Further guidance follows.

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 School of Computing, Engineering & Information Sciences

IS0430: Research Methods, 2009/2010, Semester 1: TEACHING SCHEME (Revised)

Week TW Lecture Topic Seminars in Research Methods Seminar in Research Skills Workbook activity Checkpoint
beginning
5/10/09 1 Introduction to the module. The nature Research topics in CEIS subject Introduction to research skills Task 1: Read Chapter by
of research areas Booth, Colomb, & Williams
12/10/09 2 The research process. The initial Finding information in the Mechanics of referencing 1 Task 2: Describe research
stages & research ethics Library catalogue topic
(Library & Learning Services)
19/10/09 3 Research approaches Search strategies via NORA Mechanics of referencing 2 Task 3: Exercise (a): Book Self Quiz 1:
(Library & Learning Services) search Information skills
26/10/09 4 The research proposal Review of Task 2: Describing a Writing abstracts & summaries Task 4: Exercise (b): Self Quiz 2:
research topic; writing research Ejournal search Searching for
questions information
2/11/09 5 The literature review Literature evaluation Literature mapping Task 5: Exercise (c): Internet
search
9/11/09 6 ASSESSMENT & ENHANCEMENT
WEEK: details of activities to follow
16/11/09 7 Research methods 1: Surveys and Endnote Workshop Writing the literature review Task 6: Draft mapping of the Self Quiz 3:
experimental methods (Library & Learning Services) literature Research method
23/11/09 8 Data collection methods 1: Research design: discussion & Writing the literature review
questionnaires and observations exercises 1
30/11/09 9 Research methods 2: Case studies, ***Feedback & feed forward on Using source material & Task 7: Create EndNote
action research, … Workbook activities*** avoiding plagiarism 1 bibliography of literature on
chosen topic
7/12/09 10 Data collection methods 2: Interviews, Research design: discussion & Using source material & Self Quiz 4:
lab books exercises 2 avoiding plagiarism 2 Research
methods
14/12/09 11 Data analysis “Lies, damned lies and statistics” Proofreading & editing Task 8: Project planning
(Gantt charts)
~~Winter Break~~
11/01/10 12 ~~Working on assignment; no ***Drop in sessions for feedback ***Drop in sessions for feedback
lecture~~ on assignment*** on assignment***
18/01/10 13 DEADLINE FOR ASSIGNMENT Submit Proposal:
19/01/10

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 Research Methods Workbook

IS0430: Research Methods

Workbook
Tasks and exercises (formative)
The following tasks are associated with developing research methods and skills understanding:
 Task 1: Read
Booth, W C, Colomb, G G & Williams, J M (2003) The craft of research. Chicago: University
of Chicago Press. Chapter 3: From topics to questions. Pp. 40-55
(A pdf of the chapter is available on the eLP. Copyright permission has been given for
this.)
 Task 2: Description of research topic
(see page 5)
 Task 3: Exercise (a): Book search in Library
(See page 6)
 Task 4: Exercise (b): Ejournal search via NORA
(See page 7)
 Task 5: Exercise (c): Internet search
(See page 9)
 Task 6: Draft mapping of the literature on chosen topic
(See page 10)
 Task 7: Create EndNote bibliography of literature on chosen topic
(See page 11) This task will come after the EndNote workshop, delivered by the Library &
Learning Services.
 Task 8: Project planning (Gantt charts)
(See page 12)

Electronic versions of the forms associated with Tasks 2-5 and 8 are available on the eLP.
Module tutors will check your progress on these tasks from time to time, offering feedback and
feed forward. There is a Log sheet to facilitate this at the end of the Workbook.

Self Quizzes
There is a set of self-quizzes (using multiple choice questionnaires) available on the eLP. These
quizzes are designed to help you assess for yourselves your understanding of aspects of the
research process and research methods. These quizzes are formative in nature and can be
repeated as many times as you want.

Referencing convention to be used

For this module, the referencing and citation convention used is Harvard Northumbria. The
essential tool for writing references and explaining the convention is:
Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2008) Cite them right: the essential referencing guide. Rev &
Expanded ed. Newcastle upon Tyne : Pear Tree Books.

Copies are available for sale in the Well Read Bookshop and in the Library. It is also available
online at: http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/central/library/resources/referencing/cite/

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 Research Methods Workbook
Task 2: Description of the Research Topic

Name: Student ID:

Working Title:
Provide a working title for your topic. (Note that this can change as you read more about the topic.)

Expansion of title:
Provide a brief description of the chosen topic, expanding on the title.

Define your research question and consider its aspects

List the keywords pertinent to your topic & research question(s)

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 Research Methods Workbook
Task 3: Exercise (a): Book search in Library
Use the Library catalogue to search for some key text books in the Library related to your research topic. Aim to find up
to five books. Give full references for each book, using the Harvard system of referencing.. Remember that the
whole book does not need to be relevant to your topic; you will only find this out once you have seen the book; a single
chapter, or even part of one, may be sufficient for your needs. For your use note the shelf mark and location in the right
hand column. (Note that references to Google Books are not acceptable.)

Name: Student ID:

Title of research topic:

Book details: Shelf mark / location

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 Research Methods Workbook
Task 4: Exercise (b): eJournal Article Search in Online Databases
Search for ejournal articles using NORA - the Library Search Engine – related to your research topic. Aim to find at least
ten relevant journal articles on your topic. Give the full references (using the Harvard system of referencing) for all of
the articles. Use the right hand column for keeping notes about your search (e.g. date searched, keywords used, online
database from which you obtained the articles) (Optional)

Name: Student ID:

Title of research topic:

eJournal Article details: Notes (Optional)

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 Research Methods Workbook
eJournal Article details: Notes (Optional)

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 Research Methods Workbook
Task 5: Exercise (c): Internet search
Using one or more Internet search engines, select up to four web sites or resources that are pertinent to your research
topic, e.g. internet based newsletters/journals, agencies and government bodies, corporate sites, professional bodies,
non-government organisations, academic sites. Give full references for all resources and sites (using the Harvard
system of referencing).

Use the right hand column for keeping notes about your search (e.g. date of search, search engine used, keywords
used; brief notes about its content relevant to your topic) (Optional)

Name: Student ID:

Title of research topic:

Web Page details: Notes (Optional)

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 Research Methods Workbook
Task 6: Draft Mapping of the Literature on chosen Topic
You are to produce a mapping of the literature of your topic using the books, articles and web resources
found through the Exercises (a) to (c) and your further reading on your research. This mapping will help you
write your review, by highlighting relevant literature, identifying key points and presenting them in an
organised, logically structured and well argued manner.
The mapping is a diagram that illustrates the major themes and sub-themes (e.g. main ideas, issues,
problems, or sub-topics) of your chosen topic area and how they inter-relate. The mapping may be done
using a Microsoft application (e.g. Word, Excel, Publisher) or a drawing package (e.g. MindGenius, available
on Desktop Anywhere).

Name: Student ID:

Title of research topic:

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 Research Methods Workbook
Task 7: Create EndNote bibliography of literature on chosen topic
This task will come after the EndNote workshop, delivered by the Library & Learning Services. You are to
convert your references as in Exercises (a), (b) and (c) into one EndNote Library using the Harvard
Northumbria convention. Print out your Bibliography, following Harvard style, namely, in one alphabetical
sequence by first named author surname (that is, one combined list for your books, ejournal articles and
internet pages). Append the list to this Task sheet.

Name: Student ID:

Title of research topic:

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 Research Methods Workbook

Task 8: Project Planning (Gantt Chart)

You are to produce a project plan for your research project to go in your Project Proposal in the form of a
Gantt Chart. This is a useful way to break down the tasks associated with your dissertation or project into
discrete elements with deliverables.

Name: Student ID:

Title of research topic:

Example of a (blank) Gantt chart template using a table format in WordTM

(N.B. a soft copy of this template is on the eLP)

The numbered columns refer to weeks; 15 weeks is the (maximum) duration for a semester length
dissertation or project.

Task 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Deliverable

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 Research Methods Workbook
Log of Workbook Tasks & Exercises
Name: Student ID:

Programme:

No. Workbook activity Date Tutor comments & initials

checked
1 Task 1: Read Chapter
by Booth, Colomb, &
Williams

2 Task 2: Describe
research topic

3 Task 3: Exercise (a):

Book search

4 Task 4: Exercise (b):

Ejournal search

5 Task 5: Exercise (c):

Internet search

6 Task 6: Create EndNote

bibliography of literature
on chosen topic

7 Task 7: Draft mapping

of the literature

8 Task 8: Project planning

(Gantt charts)

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