The Research Methods reading lists

Here is a list of the readings for ED2000. Please note the referencing style we use at UEL as you will be expected to cite the sources you use in this format.

Essential Reading for this Module:

Bell, J. (1999) Doing Your Research Project 3rd edn. Buckingham: Open University Press.

Crème, P. and Lea, M. (2003) Writing at University: a Guide for Students. 2nd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Preston, J (2005) Research project on Education and Community Studies. [online] Available at: http://www.webspawner.com/users/researchmethods/index.html and
http://www.webspawner.com/users/researchmethods2/index.html (Accessed 31 July 2009)


Indicative Reading for this Module:

Adler, P. and Adler, P. (1998) ‘Observational Techniques’, in Denzin, N. and Lincoln, Y. (eds.) Collecting and Interpreting Qualitative Materials, London: Sage.

Avis, J. (1994) ‘The Ethnography of Further Education and the Policy-orientated Literature: contrasts’, The Vocational Aspects of Education, 46 (3), 241-256.

Clifford, J. and Marcus, G. (eds.) (1984) Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography. Berkley: University of California Press.

Bassey, M. (1999) Case Study Research in Educational Settings. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K. (2000) Research Methods in Education. 5th edn. London: Falmer/ Routledge.

Epstein, D. (1998) ‘Are you a girl or are you a teacher?’ The ‘Least Adult’ role in Research about Gender and Sexuality in a Primary School’ in Walford, E. (ed.) Doing Research about Education, London: Falmer Press.

Erben, M. (1998) ‘Biography and Research Method’ in Erben, M. (ed.) Biography and Education: A Reader. London: Falmer Press.

Hammersley, M. (1998) Reading Ethnographic Research: A Critical Guide. 2nd edn. London: Longman.

Hammersley, M. and Atkinson, P. (1996) Ethnography: Principles in Practice. London: Routledge.

Hitchcock, G. and Hughes, D. (1989) Research and the Teacher: A Qualitative Introduction, London: Routledge.

Keeves, J. and Lakomski, G. (eds.) (1999) Issues in Educational Research. Oxford: Pergamon.

McDonough, J. and McDonough, S. (1997) Research Methods for English Language Teachers, London: Arnold.

Meagher, N. (1997) ‘Classroom Observation in Academic and Vocational Courses Post-16’, in Edwards, T.; Fitz-Gibbon, C.; Hardman, F.; Haywood, R. and Meagher, N. (eds.) Separate but Equal? A Levels and GNVQs, London: Routledge.

Plewis, I. and Preston, J. (2001) Evaluating the Benefits of Lifelong Learning: A Framework. London: Institute of Education.

Shipman, M (ed.) (1985) Educational Research: Principles, Policies and Practices, Lewes: Falmer.

Skeggs, B. (1988) ‘Gender Reproduction and Further Education: Domestic Apprenticeships’, British Journal of Sociology of Education, 9 (2), pp.131-149.

Willis, P. (2000) The Ethnographic Imagination. Oxford: Polity.

Wellington, J. (2000) Methods and Issues in Educational Research, London: Continuum.

Wray, A, Trott, K. and Bloomer, A. (1998) Projects in Linguistics. London: Arnold.

Referencing your sources is of critical importance.

Students who are new to higher education or who have been out of higher education for some time often overlook the importance of this and end up facing a charge of plagiarism for which the penalties can be failure of the module … in effect the failure of two modules in the case of the Independent Research Module ED3000!

The Project Proposal Form (PPF)

One of the first tasks you will need to do for your Independent Research Project is to complete The Project Proposal Form (PPF).

On this form, you will have to:

• Come up with a ‘Working title’ for the research project:
• You will need to Identify the area of your research in broad terms
• You will need to specify the ‘aims’ and ‘objectives’ of the research you will do.
• List three key questions that you intend to have answered by the end of your research project.
• Identify where the issues that your research addresses are located within your programme i.e. what are the relevant theories and academic debates that your research will contribute to
• State how your research project develops from the modules in your programme. On the PPF form you are asked to refer to specific modules but if you are entering at level three, you can refer to aspects of previous programmes of study or professional experience that may have inspired your research question.

Remember you can use the comment function to discuss these tasks or you can send me any or all of these details by email for feedback about their suitability for the module.