Applied Research Skills
| Module title | Applied Research Skills |
|---|---|
| Module code | INT3618 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Luke Adams (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 10 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
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
This module typically includes:
- 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 activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 90 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 | Content for module will be delivered in weekly lecture |
| Set work in preparation for lectures and follow up work in preparation for seminars | 12 | Students will be given pre and post lecture activities to complete in preparation for the weekly seminar |
| Seminars | 24 | Teacher led and based on the related lecture and set work for this |
| Tutorials | 12 | There will be regular small group tutorials to discuss and monitor progress in this module |
| Guided Independent Study | 90 | Collaboration in project group to discuss ideas, reading key resources for project, research to inform preparation of project and preliminary literature review. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft annotated bibliography | 500 words | 3-5 | Verbal and Written |
| Draft preliminary literature review | 700 words | 3-6 | Verbal and Written |
| Review of project ideas and progress | Throughout module | 1, 2, 6 | Verbal and Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual annotated bibliography | 20 | 800 words | 3-5 | Verbal and Written |
| Individual preliminary literature review | 30 | 1000 words | 3-6 | Written |
| Group presentation of proposal | 50 | 5 minutes per person | 1, 2, 6 | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual annotated bibliography | Individual annotated bibliography (deferral) (see details of summative assessment) | 3,4,5 | ASAP and before Pre-APAC |
| Individual preliminary literature review | Individual preliminary literature review (deferral) (see details of summative assessment) | 3,4,5,6 | ASAP and before Pre-APAC |
| Group presentation of proposal | (deferral) Group/Individual presentation of proposal 10 minutes | 1,2,6 | ASAP and before Pre-APAC |
| n/a | (Referral) Individual presentation of proposal 10 minutes | all | ASAP and before Pre-APAC |
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 do an individual presentation of the proposal. Only your performance in this will count towards your final module grade. A grade of 40% will be awarded if the assessment is passed.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
ELE – College to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages
| 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 | 23/03/2021 |
| Last revision date | 12/07/2024 |
