How can you determine what constitutes good research? How can you assess the accuracy of what you are reading about research results in expert and lay settings? Understanding how research is conceptualised and developed coherently is key. Good digital education is not only about practice but also about understanding digital education research and conducting it yourself.
This course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand and conduct research. You’ll learn about the fundamentals of research and how to think as a researcher. You’ll get familiar with a variety of research methods and tools and understand what kind of data they allow you to collect; as well as common misconceptions about methods. You’ll also learn about data analysis and how to make conclusions from findings. Common mistakes will be discussed, such as making overgeneralisations or not considering the limitations of a study. You’ll be able to create a firm research design that aligns the research aim with theory, research methods, data collection and an appropriate approach to analysis.
Since one of the main aims of the course is to help you design and develop a research proposal, the Methods course is typically taken as the final or penultimate taught course before MSc students progress to their dissertations. You must pass this course to move on to the dissertation stage.
Keywords: Methods, Research Design, Epistemology, Data, Data Collection, Data Analysis
This course provides a structured approach to developing a research project, guiding you through the essential steps from identifying a research topic to preparing for your dissertation. Divided into five key blocks, it focuses on building foundational skills, exploring methods for generating and analysing data, and addressing ethical considerations. Each block is designed to help you understand what constitutes good research and help you develop confidence and competence in conducting research, culminating in a well-prepared dissertation plan.
We will cover the steps necessary to create a solid research project. First, we will explore the philosophical foundations of research, focusing on the underlying beliefs and assumptions regarding the nature of reality and knowledge. As you consider your research ideas for your dissertation, we will discuss how these philosophical foundations influence data collection and analysis methods. Then, we will discuss how we conceptualise data and guide you through the most common methods for gathering it. Next, we will provide fundamental skills needed for both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Throughout this process, we will also address how to conduct ethical research and guide you through the University of Edinburgh's ethical guidelines. Finally, you’ll start developing your research proposal assignment.
“I aim to excite students about methods and research process. Understanding and doing rigorous research is fundamental to societal progress and I think everyone should have basic skills to interpret research. My approach is to nourish active engagement with research material and to motivate asking critical questions about research – questions students ask themselves, each other, and in interaction with course tutors. This leads to constructive and supportive approaches to knowledge production.”
- Alice Dias Lopes, Course Organiser
Teaching methods in this course are designed to foster collaboration and active learning. From the beginning of the course, you will start developing your research proposal for your dissertation. You will therefore engage in guided independent study to help you develop a coherent research design, participate in hands-on activities such as analysing real datasets, and take part in group discussions to receive formative feedback on your research ideas. Active participation in discussions is not just encouraged but essential — it’s an opportunity to refine your own research ideas while contributing to and learning from your peers’ perspectives. We expect students to actively post questions about the topics discussed in the course, their research topic ideas and proposed research methods in the forum — this will be your chance to understand how other students will approach their dissertation and receive feedback from the tutor before the final assignment. Live tutorials will offer an opportunity to ask questions and explore key topics covered in the course.
There are two assessments in this course:
Data Analysis (30%):
Your tutor will provide data, which you will analyse. You will then write a report on your analysis. You will choose one of the analysis paths - qualitative or quantitative. This is an opportunity to explore a chosen approach, and to reflect on what does and doesn't work, and why. Your analysis assignment will be judged on its skill in using an analytic method, but also on the extent to which it identifies challenges and interesting problems. (1000 words)
Research Proposal (70%):
This assignment will be the proposal for your dissertation project. It will describe the research topic or question you plan to address, the background to this topic including an indication of what your literature review will contain, your research methodology, timescale, and ethical considerations. In this assessment, you need to demonstrate that you understand the steps to produce a coherent research design and consider the feasibility and practicality of your research plan. (3000 words)
These assessments are intended to evaluate your understanding of research design and research conduct. It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you can transform theoretical knowledge into a practical, coherent, and academically sound research design that is rigorous and feasible.
This course offers a comprehensive overview of research skills in digital education. You will learn what constitutes good research and acquire the knowledge necessary to design a coherent research proposal. Additionally, you will engage with various data collection and analysis methods, with opportunities to use both quantitative and qualitative analysis software. By the end of the course, you will be well-equipped to create a cohesive research project, laying the groundwork for your MSc dissertation in Digital Education.
Formal learning outcomes
- On completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate critical awareness of key concepts such as epistemology, validity and ethics as they relate to digital education research
- Locate and critically analyse published research
- Engage critically with a range of data collection and analysis methods and approaches
- Effectively plan a programme of research, identifying appropriate research questions and how they might be addressed by particular methodological approaches
- Demonstrate an awareness of academic conventions in the presentation of research
Methods Podcast by the National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM). Available at: https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/resources/podcasts/ (Accessed 12 March 2025)
Selwyn, N. (2022). What makes for ‘good’ education research? (Bob Lingard)’. Meet the Education Researcher. July 2022. Available at: https://on.soundcloud.com/MTUfS (Accessed 12 March 2025)
Coe, Robert. Research Methods and Methodologies in Education. Third edition. Washington, D.C.: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2021. Online access though the University of Edinburgh library.
SAGE Research Methods is a large methods library, with access to information about a wide range of methods and approaches. You will need to use your University login or the VPN to access this site's resources. We refer to and use it a lot in the course.