CHY5032 - Introduction to Evidence Based Learning

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

(1) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the assumptions and purposes that inform and direct social research
(2) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the ways in which research data may be used to test hypotheses and evaluate practices within the social sciences
(3) Evaluate appropriate methods of research according to the context by distinguishing between valid and invalid applications of research methods and analyses of social scientific research data
(4) Carry out a small-scale research project
(5) Use descriptive statistics to simplify and to analyse data

Content:

The module will provide an introduction to the particular nature of research relating to children and young people. Consideration will be given to the assumptions and principles used to direct and interpret social research pertinent to young people. Distinctions will be drawn between research studies intended to monitor practice (as against specified targets), to inform the generation of empirically grounded hypotheses and to test hypotheses. The potential uses and abuses of qualitative and quantitative data will be identified, and examples will be given of experimentally induced distortions of data, of unethical practices and of unreliable and invalid inferences and conclusions. Doing research with young people will be evaluated and will deal with such matters as defining questions, aims, objectives and hypotheses. Research design will be considered as will important issues such as validity and reliability. A study will be made of some of the “classic” methods and models for doing research with young people. These will include observation, ethnography, case studies, surveys, experiments and correlation.

Learning and Teaching Information:

In semester one, the module will be delivered by means of lectures and tutorials. In semester two, there will be a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Some independent research will be carried out in each semester. Students will be given an opportunity to carry out a small-scale piece of research. Lectures Semester 1
Contact hours 18
Number of groups 1

Lectures Semester 2
Contact hours 14
Number of groups 1

Seminars Semester 2
Contact hours 4
Number of groups 1

Tutorials
Contact hours 2
Number of groups - Number of students registered