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Research Proposal in Theology

Module description

This module will to allow you to prepare either for your Masters dissertation or for application for a PhD. In doing this, you will gain experience in the construction of good research proposals. Starting with a vague initial idea about a possible project, you will be shown how to refine that idea until you have a clear sense of the relevant research questions, research methods, research materials, and research context, and can communicate that concisely and in a specified format.

Module aims - intentions of the module

We have designed this module to allow you to prepare either for your Masters dissertation or for application for a PhD, and in the process to gain experience in the construction of good research proposals. Starting with a vague initial idea about a possible project, you will be shown how progressively to refine that idea until you have a clear sense of the relevant research questions, research methods, research materials, and research context, and can communicate that pithily in a specified format.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Refine an initial research idea until it becomes the specification for a project
• 2. Write a clear, cogent research proposal

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 3. Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationship between research questions, methods and resources
• 4. Demonstrate an ability to investigate the research context for a particular set of questions

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 5. Write to a very tightly defined brief

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Academic writing – reviews and proposals
• Meet with research tutors
• Share research proposals

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

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

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

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Biggam, John (2015), Succeeding With Your Master’s Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook, Maidenhead: Open University Press
• Cottrell, Stella (2019), The Study Skills Handbook, London: Red Globe Press
• Matthews, Bob and Liz Ross (2010), Research Methods: A Practical Guide for the Social Sciences, Harlow: Longman
• Rudestam, Kjell Erik and Rae R. Newton, Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process, Los Angeles, CA: Sage

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2296

Key words search

Research, Dissertation