As part of your programme at level three of a BA Honours undergraduate degree in the Cass School of Education, you are going to be doing a piece of independent research for the module ED3000. ED3000 is the only double module in your programme that is done over both of the two semesters you will spend with us at level 3 and it is the only module worth 40 of the 120 credits you must accumulate at level 3 to obtain your degree. Because this module is such a large part of your programme it is critical that you do well in it. Particularly if you are planning to do post graduate work such as a Masters programme or a Post Graduate Certificate in Education you will need at least a lower second class degree. Apart from these reasons for trying to do well in ED3000, the independent research module is an opportunity to study a subject that interests you or a subject that can help you get ready for the employment you want to do when you have got your degree.The challenge for you as a direct entrant to level 3 is that you will not have done the level two module ED2000 Research Design and Method which helps students get ready for doing their independent research project. By giving you direct entry to level 3, we are assuming that you will already know about research design and methods and will be able to have a research questions ready to work on when you start. In case you have forgotten what you have learned about research design and method this blog aims to give you access to materials and resources as well as support that can help you remember or fill in any of the gaps in your knowledge about research design and methods.
A site which offers some useful advice about what an independent research project is and how to go about devising a research question for the focus of your research check out University of Kent at Canterbury's 'Planning a Dissertation: for undergraduate students'
