NB: This course accrues 2 training points.

This course will support students to critically assess the quality of empirical research they encounter when reviewing the literature for their thesis.

Session one will take the form of an online lecture with some short interative activities. The lecture will focus on:

• why critical appraisal is a vital skill for undertaking a literature review
• the broad principles of assessing research quality
• examples of approaches for, and factors to consider, when appraising different types of research (qualitative and quantitative)

Session two will be an interative online seminar session based on a practical activity to be undertaken as 'homework' following session 1. This practical, discussion-based session will provide students with experience of and skills for appraising different types of research.

References:

• Bell, J. (2014). Doing Your Research Project. 6th Edition. OUP. or Bell, J. (2010). Doing Your Research Project. 5th Edition. OUP.
• Dunleavy, P. (2003). Authoring a PhD. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Swales, J. M. and Feake, C. B. (2012). Academic Writing for Graduate Students (3rd Edition). University of Michigan Press.
  (Copies of 2004, 2nd edition and 2012, 3rd edition available in multiple UCL libraries, including IOE)
• Swales, J. M. and Feake, C. B. (2009). Telling a Research Story. University of Michigan Press.
• Wallace, M. (2016). Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (3rd Edition). London: SAGE. (Copies of 2006, 1st edition, 2011, 2nd edition and 2016, 3rd edition available in multiple UCL libraries, including IOE)