Learning Outcomes:
In carrying out the research element of the MRP students are required in consultation with their supervisor to produce an independent piece of research (akin to a journal article) as follows:
• adequately delineate the research topic and devise a research question;
• explore the literature surrounding the research topic and situate the research carried out within that body or bodies of knowledge;
• choose a suitable framework for analysing the research topic and answering the research question;
• engage in a systematic and critical analysis of the research topic;
• write up the main findings in a clear and well-structured manner, providing adequate evidence or arguments for the main conclusions and offering a balanced assessment of the research topic.
Indicative Module Content:
The research study element you are expected to draw on the breadth of knowledge gained across core and optional modules taken under the Master programme. While you are expected to engage directly with a research topic, there is no requirement for students to engage in primary research/carry out primary data collection such as surveys or interviews, and in many cases, this is advised against or simply not possible. Many students will draw on secondary and documentary sources or rely on existing theoretical and empirical literature in carrying out their analysis and developing arguments for the research element. Depending on the topic, it may be possible to engage in small-scale illustrative primary research, if appropriate and feasible, subject to ethical considerations. The research element can incorporate various approaches, including but not limited to: a theoretical analysis; policy analysis; socio-legal analysis; an extended literature review; documentary analysis; analysis of statistical data; analysis of secondary qualitative data; discourse analysis. Presentation should be in the form of an “academic journal article”.
The public scholarship and communication element requires you to draw on the work carried out in the research element of the MRP in a way which makes your theoretical contribution/research/analysis accessible and meaningful to non-academic, professional or citizen audiences and which addresses inequality/promotes positive social change. Formats may include but are not limited to: blogging, lobbying, documentary-making, writing ministerial briefing notes, policy submissions, creating infographs, creative/artistic performance or piece/ education/training, among others.