Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma requires that potential students have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through out contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education, including remaining as students at OLC to complete courses in our portfolio of higher awards.
All students must be aged 16 or over.
Assesment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Assignments
The course has TWO Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA); which are graded: Pass or Fail. 1 at the end of units 5 & 10
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Study Hours (Per Unit)
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of which is supported by the OLC Course Tutor, who we greatly encourage students to access support from throughout their course.
Quality Assurance
This course has been developed by the College’s professional team of tutors to meet the needs of sector based employers and employees. It is also part of the College’s validated level three Diplomas’, recognised internationally, as verified and moderated Centre for Interactive Education (CIE Global). Further details of our accreditations are provided on our website.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Course Content
The whole level three diploma has TEN (10) specific units of study, which are sub-divided into topic areas these are:
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 1: Introduction to Postgraduate Research
In this unit, students will consider the concepts of what research at a postgraduate level involves: research applications; proposals; funding research; good research techniques; qualitative or quantitative; methods and presentation.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 2: Conducting Quantitative Research
The unit focuses on one of the core aspects of research. Conducting strong analysis requires ‘raw data’ which is authentic; reliable and valid. Most research projects in the social sciences are quantitative; which involves gathering statistical data; which is generated by either case analysis or through a form of experimentation. Students will learn the various aspects of this method and its potential application.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 3: Conducting Qualitative Research
In this unit students’ will consider the use of qualitative research. Qualitative research is used widely in social research and humanities project. This usually involves case studies; interviewing; and other face to face data gathering techniques.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 4: Conducting Empirical Research
This unit focuses the student on different aspects of research methodology; this method is usually a mix of observation or experimentation. This is largely dependent on what the research project is trying to prove – its hypothesis.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 5: Conducting Case Study Research
Case studies are studies of people, communities/settings etc. The whole concept as part of a quantitative method is to ‘prove’ their hypothesis. Students will learn how to develop techniques in using case studies as part of, a research project.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 6: Basic and Applied Research
Students will over the course of their learning learn how to ask questions. This is a key part of any research – basic research follows the course of documents (media; case studies; reports etc) to find answers, raise questions and even form opinions which then have to be proven. Applied research is systematic, using science/social science at a practical level. Both these methods correlate to bring useful hypothesis to be analysed.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 7: Evaluative Research
In this unit, the student will learn how to ensure that the research being undertaken has impact or meaning. In doing so, it should be evaluative, informative and ground breaking. The study being useful to others in future research.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 8: Glossary of Research Methods and Techniques
Whatever the size or shape of a research project it will form part of a wider compendium of research. This compendium of knowledge has been completed through using different research techniques and methods. Therefore, the student will learn how to ensure that the research used is referenced carefully and that the research tracks are easy to follow.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 9: Conducting Research on the Internet
This unit explores how to make good use of electronic information from the Internet. The student will learn that it is important to ‘trust’ only electronic internet sources that can be attributed to a good source; proves fact and can be cited/referenced.
Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma Unit 10: Research in Commerce and Industry
In this final unit we explore this ever growing field of systemic research. Whatever the business setting, research will be a key element in its success. We explore case studies where such research has informed product development, policy and behaviour.
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Postgraduate Research Techniques Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.