This Research Methods module is a pillar module for Masters students across the faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. It focuses on enabling students to formulate a research project proposal. Each lecture focuses on different aspects of research including topics such as generation of a research question, identifying ethical considerations, data management, dissemination and impact of research. The module is delivered online with workshops throughout the module to facilitate development of the project proposal.
The module syllabus centres around developing the learner’s ability to identify a problem to be solved or a question to be explored. Using a systems thinking approach to identify the stakeholders involved, the learner must explore the topic and identify specific questions that can be addressed through their research project proposal.
The module also covers:
- how to find information/ databases/ standards/ regulations,
- strategies to critically evaluate information,
- approaches to identify a research topic, how to distil this into a research question and how to identify specific aims from that question
- identifying research methods used by experts in the field and suitable methods in adjacent fields
- how to design work-packages that align with each specific aim
- assessing the impact of their proposed project on the SDG targets
- some guiding ethical principles along with researcher responsibilities
- dissemination of science and research
- FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship' and stakeholder engagement (eg PPI)
technical writing
