Module Search

EDUC47010: Interviews

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type	Open
Level	4
Credits	10
Availability	Available in 2023/24
Module Cap	None.
Location	Durham
Department	Education

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None.

Aims

Introduce students to key debates concerning interviews as an approach to educational research.
Introduce students to core methods for interview research in education.
Introduce students to core methodological arguments around interview research in education.

Content

What are interviews? Why might a researcher conduct interviews? What are different types and purposes of interviews? For example. 1-1, 1- many; structured, semi-structured and unstructured; face-to-face, telephone, online.
Theoretical and related practical considerations of data collection, for example interview schedule; researcher positionality and power; participant access and recruitment; ethical considerations; working with specialised participants (eg children, hard-to-reach groups).
Theoretical and related practical considerations of data analysis, including: types of analysis: for example, inductive and deductive; thematic analysis, software informed analysis; researcher positionality and power with regards to analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

A critical understanding of current debates around interviews as an approach within educational research.
A critical understanding of a range of approaches related to conceptualization, application, and analysis of interviews within educational research.

Subject-specific Skills:

To have an understanding of how to conduct interviews.
To have an understanding of how to analyse interviews.

Key Skills:

To be able to engage in academic writing.
To be able to engage in academic reading.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Workshops - each workshop require extensive preparation of guided reading by students prior to class, which will provide context for the theoretical and practical background of interviewing as well as its application. Workshops will then follow a participatory format:
Sections of tutor-led content;
Peer and tutor-led discussion groups;
Practical exercises designing interview schedules, practicing interview technique.
Data analysis of interview data
Summative assessment will be a portfolio that includes justification of interview schedule and potential methods of analysis. The assessment for this module is portfolio-based; it is based on the collection of learner work captured from each workshop that represents competencies, exemplary work, or the learner's developmental progress, to pursue the given task.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total	Monitored
Workshops	5	Weekly	2 hours	10	Yes
Pre-workshop guided reading tasks	5	Weekly	6 hours	30
Private study and summative assessment preparation				60
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Portfolio	2000 words	100	Yes

Formative Assessment

Plan for portfolio. Formative assessment is also ongoing, through completion of workshop tasks, evaluation of practical work, facilitation of peer-led discussions.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.