PE7069 - Systematic Appraisal

The programme uses Technology Enhanced Learning as a framework to support and enhance teaching and learning. As a Distance Learning programme, delivery is entirely online via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Each module is supported by numerous interactive sessions over a period of 10 weeks of learning, leading to an assessment submission week (you will study one module at a time). Session delivery captures a variety of formats acknowledging the nature and content of the individual module and subject, alongside your needs as a student. You will also be encouraged to participate in interactive discussion boards where you will be able to share your thoughts with others and engage in debate. Some sessions are text based, others utilise audio and video tools to deliver the learning materials. All sessions have interactive elements that enable you to enhance your understanding and consolidate your learning, thereby facilitating formative feedback. All modules are supported by online reading lists that provide simplified access to various electronic, digital and hard copy sources. You also can participate in scheduled Blackboard Collaborate sessions, in which you will be able to “video-conference” academic tutors and students.

Within the programme, there are wide ranging opportunities for you to engage actively in research rich learning through problem solving, project work and real-world examples all of which are informed by current research and practice, as well as reading journal papers that develop your theoretical insight. All of the Level 7 modules that form the programme cover each of the four elements of research-rich learning, but with increasing emphasis on you, as a student, being an active participant rather than part of an audience. There is a significant application of research-based (enquiry-based) and research-tutored approaches, the former being significantly supported through organisation-oriented summative assessment.

There are a range of mechanisms to support you academically throughout your Distance Learning study with us. These will include induction and study support interventions, supported electronically, to recognise the different backgrounds of students entering this programme at Level 7.

You will have the support of an academic Programme Leader from the subject discipline, who will lead the programme from an academic perspective and will be available to support you in terms of any academic guidance you require. From an individual module perspective, you will be supported academically by the module tutor leading the individual module you are undertaking at any given point in time, alongside the receipt of peer support from your fellow participants on your module, be it through Blackboard Collaborate and/or online discussion boards.

For your dissertation you will receive a tutor who will be a subject specialist from the education discipline. The tutor will provide you, through online meetings, appropriate academic support for this research-based, digital marketing oriented individual piece of work.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Explore the breadth and complexity of research methods involved in systematic review.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
1. Conceptualise the research topic and establish its relevance to the practice area/field of expertise
2. Define the study protocol in terms of the research question and scope (variables/factors/settings to be studied), inclusion criteria, search strategy, critical appraisal techniques, data extraction and analysis methods.
3. Examine critically the ethical and philosophical issues related to the appraisal and included studies.
4. Implement a systematic appraisal to examine the research question.
5. Demonstrate enhanced critical appraisal skills.
6. Analyse and interpret the extracted data from the included studies giving due regard to issues of reliability, validity, rigour, trustworthiness and reflexivity.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. Enhance your communication and independent learning skills through discussion and in your summative written work
2. Further develop your research skills through identification of appropriate secondary data and literature on which your dissertation will be based.

Formative Assessment:
You will complete a review proposal which must be approved prior to any practical work. The proposal must include an identified problem and detailed strategy for identifying and accessing the source of secondary data, published and unpublished. The approach to further analysis and conceptualisation should also be identified.

Feedback
You will receive written and verbal feedback from your tutor.

Summative Assessment:
You produce a final project report which systematically presents the secondary data upon which the project based in an appropriate academic style supported by the current literature base and accurately referenced. (15000 words)
MLOs: (KU 1) (IPSA 1-6) (PVA 1 & 2)

Feedback
You will receive written feedback against the specific criteria as well as general feedback.

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