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Description

Applied Research Skills

Module titleApplied Research Skills
Module codeINT3618
Academic year2021/2
Credits15
Module staff

Luke Adams (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

12

Number students taking module (anticipated)

20

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

This module will introduce you to academic research skills, exploring both the role and significance of research. You will be introduced to research processes, structures and methods and will be guided through the initial stages of producing a research project. You will select an area of research, review appropriate literature and design research questions and objectives. Assessment will be based on the submission of a research proposal.

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 and will enable you to identify the elements which need to be considered in its design. 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 a critical understanding of key research terms and methods
  • 2. Apply an understanding of research methods to the design and creation of a research project proposal

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

  • 3. Apply academic skills to the critical analysis of subject specific material
  • 4. Demonstrate appropriate academic literacy practices

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

  • 5. Demonstrate independent research and study skills
  • 6. Present information for non-experts

Syllabus plan

Syllabus plan

  • The role of research
  • Identifying a research topic
  • The purpose of a literature review
  • Critically evaluating sources and creating an annotated bibliography
  • Writing a preliminary literature review
  • Research design
  • Research methodology and methods
  • Research ethics
  • Creating and presenting a project proposal

Learning and teaching

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

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
60900

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Lectures12Content for module will be delivered in weekly lecture
Set work in preparation for lectures and follow up work in preparation for seminars12Students will be given pre and post lecture activities to complete in preparation for the weekly seminar
Seminars24Teacher led and based on the related lecture and set work for this
Tutorials12There will be regular small group tutorials to discuss and monitor progress in this module
Guided Independent Study90Collaboration in project group to discuss ideas, reading course textbook and key resources for project, research to inform preparation of project and preliminary literature review

Assessment

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Draft annotated bibliography4 sources3-5Verbal and Written
Draft group preliminary literature review500 words3-6Verbal and Written
Review of project ideas and progressThroughout module1, 2, 6Verbal and Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Individual annotated bibliography204-6 sources3-5Verbal and Written
Individual preliminary literature review30800 words3-6Written
Group presentation of proposal505 minutes per person1, 2, 6Written

Re-assessment

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

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Individual preliminary literature reviewIndividual preliminary literature review3-6Next assessment opportunity
Group presentation of proposalIndividual presentation of proposal (10 minutes)1, 2, 6Next assessment opportunity

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

Module has an active ELE page

Key words search

Research methods, project, literature review

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

None

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

6

Available as distance learning?

Yes

Origin date

23/03/2021

Last revision date

13/08/2021