Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module, the student will be expected to have composed a thesis reporting a body of supervised research, having achieved the following:
Worked with a supervisor to design, implement and review an achievable investigation;
Completed a literature review of the current state of knowledge of the topic;
Identified clear objectives;
Scoped, organised, applied and reported an appropriate set of methods within available resources;
Presented a research proposal;
Documented results as original observations, in both comprehensive and concise forms;
Discussed the outcomes of findings with respect to reviewed literature.
Used suitable consistent presentation.
Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their assigned supervisor(s), who will provide guiding support, advice, and constructive criticism on an initial draft of the thesis, prior to final submission.
The research must lead to a thesis in a form consistent with the needs of publication and archiving, being an original composition, while using and acknowledging appropriate published and accessible sources.
Indicative Module Content:
Students will prepare a research proposal near the start of the 15-week summer semester, reflecting background preparation during the first two semesters of study. There are no classes scheduled in this module, all work being done by the student according to the agreed needs as identified in the proposal, and as part of supervision.
Students will develop their research activity, subject to available resources, potentially involving field, lab, or desktop study, in collaboration with their agreed supervisor. Locations, activities, and research approaches are as discussed and agreed, and may be in any suitable location and manner, and desk-based topics will be offered. Field and laboratory study offerings may provide home-based practical alternatives where required and appropriate. Key dates for proposal, and for submission of draft and final thesis, will offer a minimal framework within which the research must be completed. If work in other seasons is needed, it must be done before the trimester of this module, and can not be done after.