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Research Project Dissertation

Module description

This module is an alternative to the HIH3005 individual dissertation module (for which students chose their own topics in dialogue with supervisors). Staff will offer a topic built around a research project, archive, or historical theme where they have world-leading expertise. It will be offered as a collective research experience.

You will produce individual dissertations built around an individual strand of research, and put into practice many of the key skills that you have developed in the course of your studies so far (including that developed through the core modules at Years 1 and 2), such as: source analysis; argumentation; team working; and independent study. The dissertation thus represents the culmination of your training as a historian. Unlike HIH3005 Dissertation, however, the experience of supervision and support will be as part of a team, working on different aspects of a shared topic, archive or theme. You will therefore be expected to undertake your own independent research, and to develop and discuss this within the context of group supervision. The module will therefore build on the skills you have previously developed in group working, will introduce you to the specific practice of group research, an important part of academic and work life. HIH3006 Research Project Dissertation is your chance to pursue original research as a member of a project group, to offer a contribution to the field, and to add your voice to the debate!

Either HIH3006 Research Project Dissertation, or HIH3005 Dissertation, is compulsory for all final-year Single Honours History students and may be opted for by final-year Combined Honours History students, provided they have taken HIH2237 Doing History in the Digital Age in Year 2, as any dissertation builds on this module.

Places on this module are limited and may require a competitive application process.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module allows you to:

• work with the project team to develop an original research question on a specified topic, shared by the group
• engage with the historiography and scholarship relating to that topic
• locate and analyse appropriate primary sources; and to construct a coherent, extended argument based on this material
• put into practice all the skills that you have learnt and developed during your studies so far
• develop an in-depth knowledge of your chosen area and the ability to interpret primary and secondary source material at quite a sophisticated level
• develop and demonstrate transferable skills including: the collection and analysis of a wide range and/or amount of data; the ability to work independently; the ability to work as part of a research group; and the ability to plan and pursue an extended research project

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Formulate clearly defined questions and enquires and pursue these through an independent research project
• 2. Gather, sift, select, organise, analyse critically, and synthesise appropriate primary sources
• 3. Identify, locate, and assess secondary scholarship critically
• 4. Evaluate the reasons for changes in historiography, showing an awareness of the range of problems involved in the interpretation of complex, ambiguous, conflicting, and often incomplete material
• 5. Sustain a reasoned line of argument through an extended piece of written work
• 6. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of your chosen research area

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 7. Gather, organise, and deploy evidence, data, and information from a range of sources, both primary and secondary
• 8. Recognise strengths and weaknesses in the arguments of other scholars, and engage critically with historical debate
• 9. Exhibit structure, coherence, and clarity of written expression and deploy historical terminology correctly

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 10. Plan, pursue, and manage a research project
• 11. Exhibit self-discipline and self-direction, managing your time effectively
• 12. Work independently while engaging with supervision and guidance, and as part of a group, as an effective collaborator
• 13. Collect and analyse large amounts of data
• 14. Complete an extended piece of written work for a specific deadline and within a specified word-limit

Syllabus plan

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

• Identifying, in collaboration with other members of the group, from a list of relevant possibilities, an area which you might wish to study, and discussing its viability with the group.
• Developing, individually and/or in consultation with the group, a detailed research plan, including consideration of historiographical research context, research question(s), proposed source base, and methodology.
• Significant use of primary sources.

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 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

As appropriate to the topic chosen.

Key words search

History, Dissertation, Research, Thesis, Project, Team, Group