Undergraduate Course: Childhood Practice Research Project (EDUA10156)
Course Outline
| School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 40 |
ECTS Credits | 20 |
| Summary | In this course, students will assess their development as childhood practitioners by carrying out a small-scale research project through which they will attempt to improve their own practice. A systematic process of self-development activities will support the students to progressively develop the capacity to act as 'reflective practitioners' by initiating and evaluating practice interventions. Course tutors will introduce the theory and practice of research, consultation and evaluation and support students in designing and carrying out their own research projects. Students will gain knowledge and experience of a range of different approaches to childhood research that have enabled parents and children and young people to influence children's services. Specific emphasis will be placed on the ethics of childhood research, the variety of tools employed in research and consultation with children and young people and the roles that practitioner-researchers can adopt. Students will be encouraged to compare and contrast different approaches to research and evaluation. By developing and carrying out their own research, students will develop their ability to integrate knowledges of childhood theory and to critically analyse work based practices. |
| Course description |
This course runs over two semesters.
In Semester 1, students will gain knowledge about the basics of doing social research, including sessions on:
- research design
- developing research questions
- searching and reviewing literature
- methodology
- ethics
- analysis
- dissemination.
At the end of Semester 1, students submit a research proposal (1,000 words) and fill in the form for ethics approval.
Semester 2 is devoted to conducting the research, and sessions are designed to guide students in doing this step-by-step. In particular, class sessions revisit topics from Semester 1 and relate it to the students' research practice by addressing the following questions:
- How do the students' chosen methods work in practice?
- What ethical issues arise when carrying out the research?
- How will students analyse their data?
- How can students be reflexive in research?
THIS COURSE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ON THE BA CHILDHOOD PRACTICE PROGRAMME.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
400
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 8,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
358 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Assessment 1: Research Proposal
Students will develop a 1,000 word research proposal for their project, using the form provided on Learn. This will constitute 20% of the total marks for the course.
Along with the Research Proposal, students are required to submit the Moray House ethical review form. This will not be marked. Students can only proceed with data collection once their ethical review form has been approved.
Assessment 2: Research Report
Students will be assessed on a 8,000 words research report in which they will document, explain and reflect upon a small-scale research project in the field of childhood practice. This research report will account for 80% of the total marks for the course.
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| Feedback |
In addition to the final feedback on your research report, there will be the following opportunities for formative (= non-assessed) feedback:
1. Group discussions
Learning activities for this course have been designed to include interactive group activities. Information about these activities can be found in the learning materials in advance of each class. You should come fully prepared and able to share ideas and questions. Through discussion, your tutor and other students will help clarify any misunderstandings, and work on applying theoretical ideas to practical examples. Such discussions are very important opportunities for feedback. Your tutor will comment on your understanding of the ideas covered in the course, and may give you specific advice regarding your progress. Such feedback is intended to help you understand what your strengths and development points are, and to enable you to take informed responsibility for your learning and progression. To really make the most of them, you may find it helpful to write up notes from the discussions.
2. Research proposal and ethical review
Students should produce a 1,000 word proposal outlining their research project. Alongside this research proposal, students are required to complete the Moray House ethical review form for students. The ethical review and research proposal will be the subject of classes in Semester 1, as well as discussed with each student's research supervisor. Students will receive feedback on the proposal and ethical review from both the course organiser and their individual supervisors at the start of Semester 2.
3. Individual research supervision
Students will be offered a total of up to 4 hours of individual research supervision during both semesters. Students will be matched with their supervisors in Semester 1 and start working together on developing the research proposal, to be assessed formatively. Supervision meetings can be used to support any aspect of the research project, and it is students' responsibility to ensure that they seek help from their supervisor, and the course tutor, when they need it. This 4 hour total will include all meetings, time spent reading students' written work, and providing feedback to written work throughout both semesters (for example by email). To make the most of this opportunity, students should ensure that they prepare an agenda for their meetings, be in regular touch with the supervisor via email, as well as consider which aspects of their written work they would like most feedback on. The supervisors are allowed to read and feedback on one chapter (or equivalent) of the final dissertation draft, before dissertation submission at the end of Semester 2. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Compare and contrast different research approaches within childhood studies and evaluate them in terms of ethics, roles and tools.
- Design and carry out a small-scale research project investigating an aspect of your own practice and situate the project within a range of relevant national and international literatures.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the principles, processes and conditions underpinning participatory and emancipatory research.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between childhood theory, research, evaluation and change in childhood practice, and demonstrate this in research design.
- Demonstrate your development as a critically reflective practitioner by carrying out self-evaluation in the workplace.
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Reading List
| https://eu01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/lists/43376543130002466 |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Every student and graduate is unique. They each have their own experiences, learning, and way of approaching life. The quality, depth, and breadth of their experiences while at the University of Edinburgh develop characteristic attributes that set them apart.
University of Edinburgh graduates have:
- curiosity for learning that makes a positive difference
- courage to expand and fulfill their potential
- passion to engage locally and globally
University of Edinburgh graduates are:
- creative problem solvers and researchers
- critical and reflective thinkers
- effective and influential contributors
- skilled communicators
The seven aspects complement each other. Various combinations of the attributes will be used in different contexts throughout our students' and graduates' lives, within and beyond their career, academia, and citizenship. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
In the first semester, weekly classes will consist of lectures and workshop tutorials.
In the second semester, lectures and workshops will be complemented by with self-study sessions, which are designed for students to work on their respective research projects.
Every student will get up to 4 hours of one-to-one research supervision with their dissertation supervisor throughout the academic year. It is up to the student and the supervisor to arrange mutually convenient times to meet. |
| Keywords | childhood practice,social research,research with children and young people,ethics,reflexivity,p |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Marlies Kustatscher
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Gabriella Szel
Tel: (0131 6)51 4906
Email: |
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