Students who successfully complete this module will be competent at selecting and applying appropriate research methods and techniques in the process of formulating a research proposal and conducting research in Culinary Science at degree level.
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Unit 1:Introduction to Research.
Objectivity, validity and reliability. Socialand scientific research (positivism and naturalism).
Unit 2: Thesis Structure.
Layout and approach. Requirements of the objectives. Housekeeping elements (Awarding Institution requirements).
Unit 3: Selecting and defining the research topic
Originality. Experience andinterest of the researcher. Information availability and accessibility. Resource implications. Role of the tutor/supervisor.
Unit 4: Refining the topic.
Developing the research statement. Formulation of hypothesis. Selecting the strategy and design (exploratory, descriptive, causal/evaluative). Implications of ethics for food related research. Adherence to TU Dublin ethical guidelines.
Unit 5: Research plan
Approach, contact methods, sampling plans and research instruments and equipment). Schedule and budgets
Units 6-7: Literature Review
Secondary (Desk) Research Definition and range of literature(academicand journalistic). Advantages and disadvantages. Sources of information,publications. The world wide web, electronic data bases
Unit 8: Methodology
rimary Research Techniques- concept, definition and range. Research approaches (observation, survey, experiment); Contact methods (mail, social media, telephone, interview); Sampling plans (unit, size, procedure); Research instruments (questionnaire, mechanical).Implementation plan (budgets and time constraints). Scientific methodologies – sources of standard methods.
Unit 9: Referencing.
Referencing Definition, appropriate use. Referencing systems. Citations. Web based material, library data bases
Units 10-12: Analysis and presentation of results/findings
Statistics. The need to be convincing. Variables, frequency distributions, standard deviation, normal distribution curve, relationships. Sampling techniques, statistical reliability, presentation of statistics. Computer packages.Interpretation and presentation of results: Drawing conclusions,making recommendations, avoiding bias. Synthesis of information. Focus on objectives. Presentation formats. Writing up /dissemination of research findings. Academic guidelines. Developing a writing style. Dissemination of research findings. Commercialisation of research.
| Learners will be actively encouraged to engage in their own learning through knowledge acquired through lectures, tutorials/seminars, report writing reflection and research. |
| Module Content & Assessment | |
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Other Assessment(s) | 100 |