MSc in Practice-Based Research MSc

About the course

This programme offers a taught degree option which allows students to research their own practice. The aims of this programme are to provide students with:

• the knowledge, understanding, discipline and rigour to carry out work-based research and enquiry
• the opportunity to develop the self-awareness necessary to undertake practice-based research
• the opportunity to undertake masters' level study through an enquiry into their own practice
• a range of transferable skills within the domain of research and enquiry
• an excellent leadership development opportunity

On completing the programme, students will be well placed to continue with a research degree at Doctoral level if they wish. The programme content will focus on methodological issues and their application in the student's practice setting. The subject matter which is the focus of the student's learning activity will be particular to each student.

 

 

Why choose this course?

This innovative new programme has been designed to meet the needs of practitioners who are mid-career and want to further their education by focussing on their own practice. As a student, your studies will therefore be directly related to your work and your own personal area of interest. The aim of the course is to allow you to explore your practice in a way which improves your work performance whilst gaining a Masters qualification. The programme should be challenging and enlightening to you, both personally and as a practitioner. This programme serves as an excellent leadership development opportunity as it involves a robust enquiry into how you, as a leader, carry out your practice.

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Teaching methods

Following an induction day, the programme will be delivered using 3 day blocks to introduce each module, intended to immerse students in the environment and identity of a practice-based researcher. Two single follow-up days will review how students are managing to maintain and sustain this identity back in their workplace context.

Learning and teaching strategies include group work, presentations, whole group discussions, use of art, video, the internet and web-based resources as well as use of Information Hertfordshire's resources within the physical and virtual LRC environments. Group tutorials will be used as a means to support individual learners within their peer group and private discussion facilities for these groups will be set up on StudyNet. Individual tutorials will be available as required. Students will also be invited to the School of Education's research seminar series which is organised throughout the year.

The programme consists of three modules, each carrying the award of 60 credits at masters' level.

1. Critical Review of Literature looks at what has already been written about the subject you are researching; how are you interpreting the literature and how are you developing a framework for understanding your practice?

2. Exploring Naturally Occurring Data looks at 'data' that crosses your path every day, often without you considering it to be data at all; how can you use this data for research purposes and what does it tell you about your practice?

3. The Practice-Based Research Project is your opportunity to undertake specific primary research into your own practice in order to further develop that practice and to establish yourself as a key contributor to the field.

The taught sessions help to guide you through the research processes and, along with tutorials, support your development as a practice-based researcher.

Cohorts will be capped at 15 people each, and each cohort is supported by a teaching team of 3 members of the faculty.

The assessment strategy reflects the practice-based nature of the course. Formative assessment will occur throughout the course. Each module will be summatively assessed through one coursework assignment. The content of the assignments will be dependent on the individuals' workplace context and area of interest.

 

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Critical Review of Literature

  By developing an understanding of the literature that underpins their field of research, and how this applies to their particular research question, students will develop an increased self-awareness of their role as researchers and practitioners in their own research questions. This in turn will be reflected in their choices regarding their selection and use of literature, and the development of a conceptual framework that could be used to analyse findings within their research field. Students need to develop an understanding of their epistemological position in order to understand the choices they make regarding their review and interpretation of literature, and how this shapes their conceptualisation of both their research question and the way in which they will interpret any findings.

• Exploring Research Design

  By considering a range of appropriate research approaches and data analysis methodologies, students will become adept at designing a research approach which allows for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data that relates to their research question. The module explores both methodological, ontological and epistemological issues in terms of the factors impacting on the practitioner-researcher which lead them to them to make particular choices with regard to research design and approach and methodologies for data collection and analysis. There are two main strands to this module: Learning to ‘look’ as a practice-based researcher – developing your reflexive self Students consider ways in which a practice-based researcher understands and interprets the world around them. They consider the choices they make in terms of the research approach they adopt and the data they choose to gather. This investigation of the reflexive self allows students to discuss what has influenced them in the planning organisation, analysis and interpretation of the data they have selected/collected. Learning about methodology Students are introduced to a range of methodologies and methods appropriate to a practice-based project. Students explore a variety of data analysis techniques to support them in working with data and draw out from that data a range of possible ways to address their research aim/illuminate their research question. This is achieved through undertaking a small practice exercise in data collection.

Optional

Fees & funding

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

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Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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How to apply