e-learning @ the graduate school of social and political sciences
research methods and the blended learning environment
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Graduate School of Social and Political Studies
provides a suite of research training courses in social
research skills. These courses have to address the
needs of students with very different levels of prior
knowledge, different research interests and diverse
disciplinary backgrounds.
QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
New Qualitative data analysis course
Theory & practical skills integrated with use &
evaluation of CAQDAS software
The 3-year e-learning project is developing a set of
modular web-based units to replace and enhance the
existing courses providing flexible, relevant research
training:
CHART or
PICTURE
•A new 2 part web-based module Core QDA
(Quantitative Data Analysis)
•A new web-based module in Qualitative Data Analysis
•A new induction portal Formal Foundations for
Research Methods
CORE QDA
Pilot of core QDA parts 1 & 2 complete - course to
replace existing provision in Sep’06
FORMAL FOUNDATIONS FOR RESEARCH
Course developed using in-house database driven
website & WebBoard discussion tools
Induction portal for research students
Course developed using interconnected learning
objects
Self-assessment of research skills and needs (in
formal training and transferable skills)
Course divided into content modules supported by selftests, CMC, additional readings & web-based
resources
Creation of personal learning pathways through new
and existing training modules
Formal training
Core QDA 1
Core QDA 2
CAQDAS
CHART or
PICTURE
Trans skills
CHART or PICTURE
Skill
development
Foundations
Learning pathways
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
Development of suite of advanced research methods
courses & use of web-based materials as course
resources across school
STUDENT EVALUATION
•Flexibility afforded by course very beneficial importance of multiple opportunities for accessing
learning
•Importance of blended model of learning with webcontent supported by tutorial ‘drop-in’ sessions
•Importance of balancing flexibility & structure
Flexible, accessible & relevant training across
students research career
THE E-LEARNING TEAM
Kate Orton-Johnson, Andrew Thompson, Ross Bond
Fran Wasoff, Tony Coxon,Phil Hawkins, Jonathan
Spencer.Contact the e-learning team:
k.orton-johnson@ed.ac.uk
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