SED7186 - Major Study

Objectives:

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

Implement research plans to effectively conduct and manage a major evaluation of existing research into an educational issue/theme/concept/debate;
Identify, precis and synthesise national and international research sources, scholarship, policy and practitioner evidence on the chosen educational issue/theme/concept/debate;
Define and employ appropriate approaches to conducting a major study into an educational issue/theme/concept/debate;
Interpret and critically analyse research sources, to draw justified conclusions to inform educational policy and/or practice;
Critically evaluate and judge the outcomes of own research in order to compose a systematic review that demonstrates the impact of the research on professional practice.

Content:

Students will conduct an appropriate, feasible major evaluation of research into an educational issue/theme/concept/debate on a subject agreed with the Specialist Supervisor. These may focus on one of the following areas:

- National initiatives and government policy
- The professional training of teachers/educators
- Children, families and early years education
- Effective learning, teaching and assessment
- Higher Education policy and practice
- International comparisons of educational systems

Three structured seminars will be delivered to facilitate students' progress through the dissertation. These will focus on: (i) getting started on, and managing the project, and working independently with the guidance of the Specialist Supervisor; (ii) using a range of appropriate sources to develop logical and clear arguments; (iii) writing and presenting a major study. Students are entitled to specialist input from their Specialist Supervisor throughout the major study in addition to the group seminar sessions.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Students will work more autonomously in this module, but will be supported through the 3 structured seminars detailed above, as well as through the supervision process with their allocated supervisor. Students will draw on the skills and knowledge they have gained through the programme, and, through individual study, supervisory meetings and structured seminars. They will be encouraged to engage with, and make use of: professional networks; critical reflections; discussions; online forums; supervision meetings. Students will be encouraged to attend ICE and University seminars as enrichment. Students will be able to access activities, resources, support and supervision through Moodle, and will be expected to draw on their own professional experience, relevant scholarship, research and their own emerging arguments in order to contribute to supervisory and group seminar activities.

Scheduled teaching and learning: Individual supervision
Hours: 6
Intended Group size: 1

Scheduled teaching and learning: Group seminars
Hours: 15
Intended Group size: 20

Guided independent study Hours: 579

Further details relating to assessment

Is this module exempt from condonement of marginal failure? Yes

Students on this module will be engaging in literature-based research. As no empirical data will be collected, and no human participants involved, students will not be required to submit an application for ethical approval. They will, however, complete the Leeds Trinity Research Ethics Self-Assessment Form to as a way of checking that an application for ethical clearance is not required.
Students will be provided with a set of writing guidelines to support the structuring of the assessed dissertation.