Research Methodologies for Professional Practice (PPX102Z)

Postgraduate, 18.0 points

Content

Students will encounter a wide range of contemporary approaches to human subject research, and the epistemologies and theoretical and ethical perspectives that frame different approaches. The unit will detail quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research approaches. Scaffolded tasks will enable students to evaluate a range of methods and identify those that are appropriate to their likely fields of study and gain advanced skills in one or more research methods. The unit will also consider the ways in which theological and spiritual matters inform research methodology.

Unit code: PPX102Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Doctoral

Unit discipline: Professional Practice

Proposing College: School of Graduate Research

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate substantial knowledge of terminologies, theoretical foundations, and select methodologies for human research
2.

Articulate the impact of theological questions regarding the nature of humanity, knowledge, and ways of knowing on issues and/or practices of human research
3.

Critically evaluate research methodologies and their capacity for use in the chosen field of research
4.

Determine a methodological approach for a selected project which distinguishes between ‘method’ as a tool used to explore a research question and ‘methodology’ as a mode of discourse

Pedagogy

By teaching through collegial collaboration and learning via critical reflection conducted independently and in community, the unit engages theory and practice to achieve learning outcomes.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Berry, Ralph. The Research Project: How to Write It. 5th Edition. New York: Routledge, 2004.
  • Bryman, A. Social Research Methods. 5th Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016.
  • Cameron, H., and Catherine Duce. Researching Practice in Ministry and Mission: A Companion. London: SCM Press, 2013.
  • Charmaz, K. Constructing Grounded Theory. 2nd Edition. London: SAGE Publications, 2014.
  • Corbin, J., and A. Strauss. Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage, 2008.
  • Crotty, M. The Foundations of Social Research. London: SAGE Publications, 2007.
  • Denzin, N. The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. 5th Edition. London: Sage Publications, 2018.
  • Gray, D. Doing Research in the Real World. 4th Edition. London: Sage Publications, 2018.
  • Marshall, C., and G. B. Rossman. Designing Qualitative Research. 5th ed. Los Angeles: Sage, 2011.
  • Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Research : Indigenous Storywork As Methodology. Edited by Jo-Ann Archibald, Jenny Lee-Morgan, and Jason De Santolo. London, UK: ZED Books, 2019.
  • Swinton, J., and Mowat, H. Practical Theology and Qualitative Research. 2nd Edition. London: SCM Press, 2016.
  • Thambinathan, V., & Kinsella, E. A. "Decolonizing Methodologies in Qualitative Research: Creating Spaces for Transformative Praxis." International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20. (Jan-Dec 2021) https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211014766

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Portfolio

Portfolio containing examples of the skills developing in the unit

 2000 35.0
Case Study

Case study including a group presentation of 20 minutes

 1500 20.0
Essay

A essay critically evaluating a methodology and relevant methods appropriate for the candidate’s project involving description, justification, and proposed use.

 2500 45.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 25 Oct, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-10-25 12:08:13 +1100