Description
In this course we will work in the spirit of team science. You will gain insight into the creative process of setting up and designing real world research as part of a team of fellow students. The course will include topics such as writing research questions, matching design to question, and exploring research methods. Particular attention will be given to applied research in real world settings. The course goes beyond research methodology, including, for example, research management, budgeting, and ethical review.
During the course you will work together on a grant proposal for a research project on a topic you choose as a group. You will not actually submit the proposal, but you will use a real-life grant proposal format. Parallel to the research proposal, you will work on a form for the Ethics Review Board. Masterclasses will be organized around the course themes, so you can use the information from the guest lecturers for your proposal. During the course, you will give short updates of your progress. The course will be concluded by a presentation of the developed grant proposal before a mock grant panel.
Course Objectives
After successfully completing the course, you should be able to:
Formulate your own research questions in a team.
Describe the relevance of the research to the practice of Education and Child studies; that is, argue its impact on science and society.
Choose, describe and defend research methods appropriate to the research question.
Make ethical considerations about the research methods, and implement these considerations into the design.
Draw up a simple version of a budget and management plan, including valorization plans
Work respectfully and constructively together with other researchers; that is, take your own role in the group, show your ability to argue your own points as well as to compromise.
Take responsibility for the group products, by being actively involved in every stage of the design process.
Defend the research design in public.
Timetable
For the timetable of this course please refer to MyTimetable
Mode of instruction
The meetings during this course will be (inter)active. There are seven two-hour masterclasses in which experts will guide you through different aspects of research design. You may receive additional information on Brightspace in preparation for the master classes. Parallel to the master classes, you will work together with your team of fellow-students on designing a research project, incorporating the information you gain from the master classes.
You will design your project step-by-step.. The instructors will give formative feedback on each part of your design, so at the end of the course you will be able to translate your design to the grant proposal and ethics form. We also expect students to provide each other with formative feedback. Each student will be primarily responsible for one particular part of the process (e.g., the literature review, the research questions, or the budgeting); all students together will be responsible for the final products.
The course will end with a meeting where you will present the final research design before a mock review panel, who will ask you some critical questions.
Assessment method
At the end of the course, the group delivers three final products(assessment components): (1) Research design translated to a grant application (60% of the group grade) (2) Ethics form (20% of the group grade) (3) A presentation/pitch of your proposal (20% of the group grade)
Your individual grade will be the weighted average of three components:
(1) the overall group grade (40%);
(2) the grade appointed to the task you were primarily responsible for (40%);
(3) Your participation during meetings (20%).
For example, if you were responsible for the conceptual framework, your grade will be the weighted average of the overall group grade on the three final products, the sub-grade on the conceptual framework, and your participation score. Assessment rubrics for all elements of assessment will be posted on Brightspace.
All assessment components should receive a pass grade (5.5 or higher). If the group grade is below 5.5, the group will get one opportunity to revise the products that were insufficient with a deadline set by the instructors. If the group grade is above 5.5 but your individual grade is below 5.5, you will get one opportunity to revise only the part of the assignments you were primarily responsible for (this will not increase the group grade). Your participation grade cannot be redone. Partial (pass) grades cannot be carried over to the next academic year.
Use of generative AI
In this course, you can use generative AI for the following purposes:
Finding and summarising literature (always check for accuracy!)
Developing ideas/ inspiration (but cherish your own creativity!)
Translating
Improving structure, grammar, and writing style
Generating visual material to support your presentation
If you use generative AI, you are always obliged to disclose:
Keep a log in which you register
o When and for what purpose you used AI
o Your prompts
o The responses from genAI
o Your reflections on the responses
Write a paragraph on your use of genAI in the Methods section of the design document
Include the log as an appendix to the design document
The following use of genAI is never allowed: Direct copying of genAI generated material (this is plagiarism!) Any use of genAI that prevents the instructor from verifying and evaluating your work Entering (sensitive) data or large portions of text in genAI software (by doing so, you make it available on internet)
Brightspace
During this course Brightspace is used.
Reading List
Robson, C & McCartan, K. (2015). Real world research. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Additional materials provided on Brightspace.
Registration
Education
Students must register themselves for all course components (lectures, tutorials and practicals) they wish to follow. You can register via My Studymap up to 5 days prior to the start of the course.
Exams
The exam concerns a paper and a practical assignment, so you do not need to register in MyStudymap.
Carefully read all information about the procedures and deadlines for registering for courses and exams.