Throughout the design specification of the MA Programme in Education, there was an emphasis on a number of underpinning principles, including that:
participants should have significant autonomy to construct a coherent learning programme to achieve success at post-graduate level and develop as autonomous learners;
The modules pursued should have personal and professional relevance and be directly linked to the workplace of participants;
The pathway should offer a maximum level of practicable flexibility;
Patterns of provision should be structured to offer access to as wide a range of participants as possible.

Rationale
This module will introduce students to and prepare them for the content and structure of the dissertation. Through the module appropriate research problems, questions etc. will be formulated and the students will elaborate on research methods, which are vital. Overall, the rationale behind this module is that it aims to give students the opportunity to develop their skills in analysing quantitative or qualitative data and presenting their findings.

On completion of the module the student should be able to:
1. Identify a suitable area and/or issue for research.
2. Produce a protocol for the proposed investigation for scrutiny and monitoring purposes.
3. Use appropriate methods on research.
4. Analyse the findings in relation to specified aims, objectives and criteria for assessment.
5. Present a critical evaluation of his/her findings.