| CODE | CLS3121 | ||||||
| TITLE | Quantitative Research Process | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Centre for Labour Studies | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is designed to strengthen students’ capability to conduct, critique, and refine quantitative research through a structured Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach. Across different PBL cycles, students will analyse their dissertation (or other research projects) using a stage-specific focus aligned to key sections of the research report. In each cycle, students will engage in collaborative problem analysis supported by rotating roles and will set learning goals to guide independent study between sessions. Students will be expected to consult high-quality academic sources and bring evidence-informed input to subsequent discussions. A key component of the learning process is shared peer critique. Students will document their learning and research development through a Problem-Solving Journal, producing structured reflections after each cycle. By the end of the study-unit, students should be better prepared to produce high-quality research that can inform evidence-based decision-making and practice across a range of organisational and employment contexts. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to enable students to critically reflect upon, discuss, and systematically strengthen their academic and applied research through collaborative PBL and structured reflective practice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise the characteristics of high-quality research across diverse organisational and employment contexts; - Critically reflect on their own research work within a group PBL setting, using peer and lecturer input to guide improvement; - Identify improvements needed to meet scientific, academic, and professional standards in research, including ethical and institutional requirements; - Explain the importance of coherent alignment between research aims, theory, design, measurement/analysis, and interpretation when building credible workplace evidence. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Engage effectively in PBL by contributing to group problem analysis, adopting structured roles where required, and collaboratively setting learning goals for independent study; - Critically appraise and strengthen stage-specific research components of their dissertation/research project using evidence-based academic criteria; - Identify and address weaknesses in the research process, including research questions, theoretical framing, study design, measurement, data analysis, interpretation, and academic presentation; - Produce structured reflective work that documents improvement across the PBL cycles, integrating scholarly reading and peer learning into actionable research development. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: View reading list |
||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite Study-Units: CLS3119 or CLS3103 | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
|
||||||
| LECTURER/S | Manwel Debono |
||||||
|
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
|||||||