Program Overview

Practice Inquiry Project Module (CO40006)

The Practice Inquiry Project module allows students to explore an area of interest, deepening their knowledge and challenging their understanding. This module is designed to inform students' own practice, enabling them to develop research and inquiry skills within the field of community education.

What You Will Learn

In this module, students will:

• Apply research and inquiry skills within the field of community education
• Develop the ability to manage a small-scale research or practice inquiry project
• Develop academic presentation and dissemination skills
• Develop employability skills

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Show an understanding of either research design or practice inquiry project development
• Develop and put in place a coherent research or practice inquiry design in collaboration with research stakeholders
• Demonstrate an ethical approach to research or practice inquiry design
• Develop theoretical reasoning and the ability to critique practice
• Communicate complex ideas concisely and clearly to a range of audiences

Assignments / Assessment

The module assessment consists of:

• A 6,000-word research report (90%)
• A 20-minute symposium presentation (10%)
  • Set in Week 1
  • Due in Week 24

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching Methods / Timetable

The teaching methods include:

• Lectures: one 2-hour session weekly in Semester 1 and five 2-hour sessions spread across Semester 2
• Tutorials: one 1-hour group session each week throughout the year
• Writing workshop: one full-day session a week prior to the deadline for submission

The programme of sessions typically covers:

1. Introduction to practice inquiry and community-based research
2. The practice inquiry design
3. Embedding ethical practice and community education values in your practice inquiry
4. Methodology vs. Methods
5. Creative and participatory methods
6. Engaging people in inquiry-based discussions
7. Positionality / Reflexivity
8. Making Sense of your Data
9. Evidencing Policy and Practice
10. Preparing your Inquiry Report
11. Presenting the Findings of your Inquiry at the Community Education Symposium

Courses

This module is available on the following courses:

• Community Learning and Development courses
  • Undergraduate courses:
    • Community Development & Youth Work MA (Hons)

Module Details

• Credits: 60
• Module code: CO40006
• Level: 4
• Semester: Both Semester 1 and 2
• School: School of Humanities Social Sciences and Law
• Discipline: Education and Society