School of Education and Social Work
Research and Evaluation in Professional Organisations
Module 903X2
Module details for 2011 cohort.
40 credits
FHEQ Level 8 (Doctoral)
Module Outline
The aims of the course are:
To develop understanding of the ways in which internal research and evaluation can contribute to a professional organisation.
To develop understanding of the technical problems and costs involved in such activities and the ability to make appropriate decisions about their scope and scale.
To enhance understanding of how research and evaluation as social processes interact with organisational cultures and contexts.
To plan, manage and implement small-scale research and evaluation studies which could contribute to an organisation's work or future planning.
To develop understanding of the ethical issues involved, critical consideration of the relationships with participants and stakeholders, and the ability to respond with appropriate designs, consultation processes and conduct.
Content
The focus of this module is on research and evaluation. We consider problem analyses, f strategic issues for organisations, policy and programme evaluations, assessment of decision options, action research to improve practice and ascertaining the needs of clients/users and staff. In preparation for the assignment you will think about technicalities of research and evaluation, including choosing appropriate methods of inquiry, available time, and your position in the organisation.
Attention is given to the initial framing of the problem, the need to distinguish between an underlying problem and its symptoms, and the question of who perceives what to be a problem and why. The socio-political dimension considers how the research should attend to the micropolitics of the organisation and the grapevine, the ongoing nature of consultations and the many ethical issues involved in relationships with participants, clients/users and other stakeholders.
The technical and ethical problems of insider research are discussed, together with appropriate ways of handling them.
A variety of teaching and learning methods is used. Tutors are available for individual support, guidance and feedback on assessed work.
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of the ways in which internal research and evaluation may contribute to a professional organisation.
Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of the technical problems involved in internal research and evaluation of professional organisations, the ability to evaluate these, and make appropriate decisions about research design, scope and scale.
Synthesise in-depth knowledge and understanding, drawn from a wide range of sources, of research and evaluation as social processes, reflecting critically on how these interact with organisational cultures and contexts.
Demonstrate the ability to plan, manage and implement a small-scale research and evaluation study, which could contribute to an organisation's work or future planning.
Demonstrate thorough understanding of the ethical issues involved in researching professional organisations, the ability to reflect critically on relationships with participants and stakeholders, and to respond with appropriate research design, consultation processes and conduct.
Demonstrate the ability to analyse and evaluate critically the strengths and weaknesses of their research approach, and to communicate these effectively and appropriately.
Give a sound justification for the selection and implications of their own methodology and methods, reflecting critically upon practical, conceptual and ethical issues arising.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Project Report (8000 words) | Summer Vacation Week 11 Fri 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Term | SEMINAR | 5 hours | 010000100000 |
| Spring Term | SEMINAR | 5 hours | 100010000000 |
| Spring Term | SEMINAR | 8 hours | 100010000000 |
| Summer Term | SEMINAR | 8 hours | 010000100000 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
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