Programme Structure

Module Guide

During the first part of the EdD programme, before embarking on your thesis, you will be involved in the taught modules described below. The modules vary in length and are assessed in a variety of ways in some combination of the following: – written assignment, presentation and contribution to online discussion.

Year 1

Research 1: Paradigms This module focuses on research paradigms, enabling you to position yourself in relation to them, thinking about your identity, experiences and understanding of research.

Writing for Academic Practice 1 Developed to support the writing process and to scaffold your development towards the writing of publishable research this module offers you the opportunity to be involved in the analysis and evaluation of research articles, peer reviewing, editing, drafting and reformulation of written work.

Learning, Culture and Society An introduction to major education and social theories, and offers an opportunity to undertake research or a substantive literature review to explore an area of interest to you.

Year 2

Research 2: Methods Focuses on the different methods of research, encouraging you to think more widely about alternative methods which you could use for your thesis.

Writing for Academic Practice 2 You will develop your own writing skills with a view to publishing articles in academic journals. You will also have an opportunity in a virtual learning environment (VLE), to debate and have discussions with EdD students at the University of Hawaii.

Investigating Complexity This module covers a range of well-established theories, with a view to deepening your core skills for critical enquiry and helping you to develop a conceptual framework for your thesis research.

Year 3

Preparing your Research Proposal In this module you will have advice on the selection of a thesis topic. You will be asked to present your proposal to the doctoral cohort. You will also be supported in preparing your proposal for Registration with Oxford Brookes University’s Research Degree Committee (RDC).

Thesis (continues in Years 4 and possibly 5) You will be allocated a team of 2 supervisors who will support you as you undertake your research and write your thesis. Your thesis will be about 50,000 words in length and will focus on a specialist area of your choice. It will make a distinct contribution to knowledge in the field of study and demonstrate your capacity for original, autonomous research. Support in writing your thesis is provided through meetings with your assigned supervisors and through regular thesis workshops.