teaching undergraduate research methods using action learning sets

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Teaching Undergraduate Research Methods Using Action

Learning SetsThomas Lancaster

Birmingham City UniversityHEA Innovation In The Assessment Of Social

Science Research Methods

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Computing Background

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Alternative View To Social Science

Research methods important, but not dominant on the Computing courses

Covered informally:Referencing/Writing/Information Finding/Core Skills/Literature/Mathematics/Analysing Data/User Needs

Analysis

Covered more formally:Used within Final Year Project

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My Background

Thomas LancasterSenior Lecturer in Computing at Birmingham City University, UKProgramme Leader BSc Computer ScienceModule Leader for Professional Practice 2 UG2Former BSc Project CoordinatorResearcher into areas such as Plagiarism, Contract Cheating and educational use of Social Media

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Professional Practice 2 UG2

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Module Overview

Level 5 (Year 2) module taken as part of BSc Computer Science and BSc Business Information TechnologyApproximately 120 students in 2012-2013Including Direct Entry students

15 creditsTaught over 20 weeks (including one non-teaching week)

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Delivery Style

Module taught in groups of 20s, in 2 hour sessionsModule delivered by several staffNo separate lectureModule alternates between seminar room and computer roomModule based around discussions and interactionSupported by activities on Moodle

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Module Content

Two sections:Employability and placement skillsResearch methods

Teaching designed to support success in final year and introduce the idea of academic researchLittle attention paid to theoryFocus on practical application of research methods

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Research Methods Content

Active understanding of academic literatureAcademic writing and referencingInformation searching and information validityComparative research techniquesQuestionnaire design

Ethics in projects and researchUser testingData presentation and investigationPoster designPoster fairPlanning of the Final Year Project

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Assessment

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Research Methods Assessment

Critical Literature ReviewIndividual workWorth 30%

Traditional introduction to academic literature, but focused around topics interesting students

Research InvestigationAction Learning SetWorth 30%

Alternative take on research methods, looking at choosing appropriate methods, collecting data, analysing data and presenting and communicating this

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Action Learning Sets

Students randomly drawn into Action Learning Sets of 3 to 5 membersStudents work together in labs and seminars on practice tasks and assessed tasks

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Research Investigation

Four partsIdentify Research Question (0%)Show Research Design (10%)Show Research Evidence (10%)Poster Fair (80%)

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Research Questions

Must focus on areas appropriate to the courses:Computing/Technology/Business/Education

Must provide scope for all members of the ALS to be involvedOne research task per active member of the Action

Learning SetChoice of research tasks should be sensible

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Research Question Examples

How do the usage patterns of LinkedIn by UK students differ from the rest of society?What economic effect has music downloads had on modern day music stores such as HMV?To what extent has the popularity of programming languages changed since 2005?How damaging to international society is the violence in modern video games?

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Poster Fair

“Highlight of the module…”

A1 sized poster5 minute presentation, plus questionsReviewed by tutorsReviewed by other Action Learning SetsTo standard set of criteria, equally weighted

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Research Posters

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Evaluation

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Tutor Experience

Have been using a variety of this assignment across many modules of this typeMany students produce excellent work (publishable)Posters used for displays and university promotion, and for teaching in subsequent yearsOccasional “groupwork” issues, but catered for within marking schemeExperience useful for CV and future employability

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Application

Feel that a version of this assignment could work well within the social sciencesPerhaps within the first year?

Happy to provide support, guidance and more detailed presentationsKeen to hear other findings and results and continue to improve best practiceAlways interested in experiences working with Action

Learning Sets in other academic disciplines

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For More Information

Thomas Lancaster:http://thomaslancaster.co.ukthomas.lancaster@bcu.ac.uk

Slides Available At:http://slideshare.net/ThomasLancasterVideo Discussion Available At:http://youtube.com/DrThomasLancaster