Independent Research
Module title | Independent Research |
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Module code | ARA3196 |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
Credits | 30 |
Module staff | Dr Ahmed Dailami (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
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Module description
This module provides you with the opportunity to carry out an in-depth and sustained research project on a subject of interest to you, resulting in the production of a dissertation. This independent research project is an important step in developing your specialism in the field of Arab & Islamic Studies. You should choose your topic in consultation with an academic supervisor—normally from the Institute—who will then guide you through the research and writing process.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This project aims to allow you to acquire knowledge of a particular subject, to benefit from one-to-one tuition from a specialist in the field, and to develop your research skills. These include the ability to collate, assess, analyse and order material from relevant types of sources, and the ability to communicate ideas, arguments and findings in academic prose.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Acquire knowledge of the issues which form the subject matter of the dissertation;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 2. Acquire knowledge of relevant literature in the field;
- 3. Collate, analyse and assess material from a range of sources, including primary sources (where relevant).
- 4. Understand and use relevant terminology, and engage with different theoretical approaches and debates in the field.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Develop the capacity to work independently and to organise your own time to produce a substantial piece of research to a deadline;
- 6. Collate and critique material to produce a coherent, well-planned, well-presented and well-argued piece of academic research.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that your engagement with your supervisor and online course information will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Identifying a suitable research topic
- Writing a research proposal
- Researching and writing a literature review
- Deciding upon a methodology and approach
- Planning the dissertation and time management
- Academic writing and development of a coherent narrative
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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4 | 296 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled learning & teaching activities | 4 | Tutorials with supervisor. These tutorials are meant, initially, to establish the viability of the planned research, and to provide advice on its focus and direction, and then to provide advice on different aspects of the ongoing work and to monitor the students' progress |
Guided independent study | 296 | Private study |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Research proposal outline | 700 words | 1-5 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Research project | 100 | 7,000 words | 1-6 | Written |
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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 |
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Research Project (7,000 words) | Research Project (7,000 words) | 1-6 | January assessment period in the following year (as August/September submission) |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Atkinson, P. A. (et al.) (2007), Handbook of Ethnography, Sage
Brady, H. E. and Collier, D. (2004), Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards , Rowman and Littlefield
Burnham, P.,Gilland, K.,Grant, W.and Layton-Henry,Z.(2004), Research Methods in Politics, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan
Burton, D.(ed) (2000), Research Training for Social Scientists , SAGE.
Creswell, J.W. (2008), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches , Sage
DiYanni, R. (2007), Writing about the Humanities (3rd ed.), Prentice Hall
Dunleavy, P. (2003), Authoring a PhD , Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan
King, G, Keohane, R.O.and Verba,S. (1994), Designing Social Inquiry, Princeton University Press.
Silverman, D. (ed) (2004), Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice, SAGE
Storey, W.K. (2008), Writing History. A Guide for Students (3rd ed.), Oxford University Press
Turabian, K. (1996), A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Credit value | 30 |
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Module ECTS | 15 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 6 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 24/02/2014 |
Last revision date | 11/08/2023 |