MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Research Methodology
BE226
10
Level 4
Level 5 X Level 6
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
N/A
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Co-requisite modules
N/A
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
Other
X
Distance
Placement
Pattern of delivery
Weekly
X
Block
Other
Online
When module is delivered
Semester 1
Semester 2
X
Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module This module provides experience of a range of activities fundamental for
content and/ or aims
undertaking a research programme. It introduces the scope of research
Overview (max 80 words)
undertaken within the department, school and university, and presents the
opportunities for future research.
In particular this module provides the opportunity to develop a research
programme suitable for completion as an Honours Project in the Final
Year.
Module team/ author/
ML: Dr Emmanuel ABOAGYE-NIMO
coordinator(s)
Dr Poorang PIROOZFAR
(BE staff to introduce to the students their research interests and
experience)
School
Environment and Technology
Site/ campus where
Moulsecoomb
delivered
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
BSc(Hons) Architectural Technology
BSc(Hons) Building Surveying
BSc(Hons) Construction Management
BSc(Hons) Project Management for Construction
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
Compulsory
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
To develop the research skills and techniques required to identify, plan,
undertake and report a research programme
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the module the student should be able to:
1. Identify aims and objectives of a research programme;
2. Collect, collate and evaluate literature
3. Collect, collate and analyse data
4. Develop a project outline appropriate for an honours project
Content
This module prepares the Built Environment students for undertaking
independent research project for their Honours Project. It will use both
group and individual activities and mini tasks in class to introduce to the
students the techniques, methods and tools they would need to utilise
to carry out their research. It involves techniques for literature search,
critical review of literature, proper academic writing and planning a
research project taking into account all the risks, ethics and
contingencies which are deemed required for a practical/applied
research.
The module will be delivered through lectures supported by additional
reading, and practice materials to help students gain first-hand
experience of what they need to do to conduct their Honours Projects
successfully. Activities and tasks will be introduced to engage the
students and two CWs are designed to encourage both group and
individual research activities and help the students develop their skills
from a collaborative to an independent mode in their research
enquiries.
Learning support
Indicative reading list:
Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2003). Business Research: a practical guide
for undergraduate and postgraduate students, 2nd ed., Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and
mixed methods approaches, 4th ed., Thousand Oaks : SAGE
Publications
Creswell, J. W and Plano Clark, V. L. (2011). Designing and conducting
mixed methods research, 2nd ed., London: SAGE
Fellows, R. and Liu, A. (2008). Research methods for Construction, 3rd
ed., Oxford: Wiley Blackwell
Holt, G. D. (1998). A Guide to Successful Dissertation Study for
Students of the Built Environment, 2nd ed., Wolverhampton: Built
Environment Research Unit, University of Wolverhampton
Kumar, R. (2014). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for
Beginners, 4th ed., Los Angeles: Sage Publications
Naoum, S. G. (2013). Dissertation Research and Writing for
Construction Students, 3rd ed., Abingdon: Routledge
Punch, K.F. (2005). Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative and
Qualitative Approaches, London: Sage Publications.
Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: design and methods, 5th ed.,
London: SAGE 2014
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
This is a single module equivalent to100 study hours, and will be
delivered through a combination of lectures, and group tutorials (36
hours), and 64 hours group/private study and project work time.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to
spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars,
tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, and
external visits.
36
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided independent study
which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the
completion of assessment tasks, and revisions.
64
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University.
It includes work-based learning and study that occurs overseas.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
100
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment on
this module
Assessment 100% Coursework
 Assessment 1 (50%): Group Research Projects (LO1, LO3)
 Assessment 2 (50%): Individual Honours Project (HP) Outline
in coordination with HP Supervisors (LO1, LO2 and LO4)
Types of assessment task1
% weighting
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Written exam
COURSEWORK
Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project
output, set exercise
PRACTICAL
100%
(including report
and
presentation)
Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set
exercise
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Built Environment & Civil Engineering Area Examination Board
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Date tenure
ends
Prof Norman Wienand
Sheffield Hallam University
01/10/2012
01/09/2016
Mr Kenneth Boston
University of Ulster
01/10/2013
30/09/2017
Dr Joseph Gunning
Queen’s University Belfast
01/10/2010
30/09/2014
1 Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
1994
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
July 2014
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
October 2015
Version number
11
Modules replaced
N/A
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2013
Yes
No
X