Introduction to Research Project

Module title	Introduction to Research Project
Module code	INT3616
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	15
Module staff	Theresa Weaver (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		10

Number students taking module (anticipated)	40

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

This module will provide you with the skills and knowledge that you will need to create a research proposal and help prepare you for your Dissertation or Project Module at Master's level. Students will be guided through the necessary stages through a combination of lectures and seminars and you will be encouraged to develop your independent study and research skills.

There are no pre-requisite modules.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim is to provide you with an understanding of the skills and knowledge required to undertake a research project at a higher level. The research proposal is an important first stage in a dissertation or project module at Master’s level. This module will introduce you to the main components of a research project. It will enable you to identify the elements which need to be considered in the design of a research project. By the end of the module you will have created a research proposal.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Demonstrate an understanding of key research terms and methods
2. Design a research project
3. Create a research project proposal
4. Write a preliminary review of the literature related to a research topic

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Apply academic skills to the analysis of subject specific material
6. Critically evaluate subject specific material
7. Demonstrate appropriate academic literacy practices

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. Demonstrate independent research and study skills
9. Present information visually for non-experts
10. Give an oral presentation of a research proposal

Syllabus plan

The purpose of research
Identifying a research topic
Research design
Research ethics
The purpose of the literature review
Qualitative methods
Quantitative methods
The project proposal

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
30	120	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	30	Lectures and seminars
Guided Independent Study	120	Preparation for lectures and seminars, research, analysis of academic sources, preparation for assessments

Assessment

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Online test	1 hour	1, 2, 6, 7	Written
Draft Literature Review	500 words	4-8	Written and Verbal
Review of Project Ideas and Progress	Throughout module	1-10	Verbal and email

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Project Proposal Poster Presentation	60	A3 poster, 10 minute presentation at research symposium	3, 8-10	Written
Preliminary Literature Review	40	1000 words	4-9	Written

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Project Proposal Poster Presentation	Project Proposal Poster (extended literature section) and Viva	1-10	4 weeks

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for reasons judged legitimate by the Mitigation Committee, the applicable assessment will normally be deferred. See ‘Details of reassessment’ for the form that assessment usually takes. When deferral occurs, there is ordinarily no change to the overall weighting of that assessment.

Referral– if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to take a re-sit exam and re-submission. Only your performance in this exam will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the examination is passed.

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Dawson, C. (2019) Introduction to Research Methods 5th Edition: A Practical Guide for Anyone Undertaking a Research Project. London: Robinson http://search.ebscohost.com.uoelibrary.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat07716a&AN=pclc.9911099228405136&site=eds-live&scope=site
Denscombe, M. (2012) Research proposals: a practical guide. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill/Open University Press https://www.vlebooks.com/vleweb/Product/Index/155588?page=0

Discipline specific resources:

Saunders, M. and Lewis, P. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students 8th Edition. Boston: Pearson.
Thiel, D.V (2014) Research Methods for Engineers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Griffin, G. E. by. (2013). Research Methods for English Studies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Pickering, M. (2008). Research methods for cultural studies. Edinburgh University Press

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Module handbook and supporting module information http://www.exeter.ac.uk/international/into/current_students/moduledescriptions/description/index.php?moduleCode=INT3601A&ay=2019/0

Students are also advised to access the Exeter University Library Research Support resources https://www.exeter.ac.uk/library/researchsupport/

Sage Online Research Methods - https://lib.exeter.ac.uk/patroninfo~S7?/0/redirect=/wamvalidate?url=http%3A%2F%2F0srmo.sagepub.com.lib.exeter.ac.uk%3A80%2F

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Project, Business, Research

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	6
Available as distance learning?	Yes
Origin date	02/03/2020
Last revision date	30/07/2020