2025/26 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

EDUC5117M Research Skills (Deaf Education)

15 Credits Class Size: 30

Module manager: Professor Ruth Swanwick
Email: r.a.swanwick@education.leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2025/26

Co-requisites

EDUC5118M Research Project in Deaf Education

Module replaces

EDUC5435M Dissertation in Deaf Education

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will provide you with an introduction to qualitative research skills to equip you to undertake a small-scale research project within the field of deaf education. It will explore the knowledge and skills required for reviewing the literature, identifying a topic, formulating research questions, designing, and conducting empirical research.

Objectives

This module takes inspiration from the latest methodological debates and trends in the social sciences. Students will examine the theoretical and methodological implications. They will explore practical examples of collecting, analysing and making sense of qualitative information and data within(deaf) educational research.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the module students should gain:
1. A critical understanding of a range of methodological skills in education research

2. A critical awareness of the impact of deafness and an educational context on the design of research methodology

3. An appreciation of the ethical implications of collecting, analysing and reporting on (deaf) educational research

Skills outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:


4. The ability to weigh up different arguments and perspectives, using supporting evidence to form opinions, arguments, theories and ideas.  

5. The ability to access and investigate a variety of sources of information on a subject, in order to provide answers or solutions, expand or provide new knowledge of a topic or subject

Syllabus

The module will cover a range of topics including the socio-political context of deaf educational research, underpinning philosophical perspectives of social science research; methodological skills; the ethics of educational data; data visualisation; researching classrooms and researching families

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
On-line Learning 10 1 10
Supervision 1 0.5 0.5
Seminars 4 1 4
Independent online learning hours 135.5
Private study hours 0
Total Contact hours 14.5
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 150

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The students will work in pairs to review a research paper with a specific focus on the methodology underpinning the research. This will be presented as a pre-recorded video to be shared and peer reviewed.

Each student will receive a 15-minute 1-1 tutorial to discuss the key elements of their written assignment.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Coursework 3000 word 100
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 An analysis and evaluation of the research design and methodological approaches of two contrasting deaf education empirical research papers.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 03/07/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team