ARCH40860 Research Project Skills

Academic Year 2022/2023

During this module you will be encouraged to develop your research project from the seed of an idea through to a full research proposal that will provide the road map for your final project. You will be expected to think critically about research and to consider what techniques will best help you to prepare and complete your postgraduate research work. You will, for example, be expected to consider what distinguishes good research from poor research. What constitutes a good research question? What is a good research methodology? The overall aim of the course is to help you develop a research proposal for dissertation research. Methods used will include: one-on-one tutorials, assignments aimed at getting you to flesh out your research proposal, optional coaching circles in small groups of peers, with some lecture content. You will present an early draft of your proposed research to your peers through a live poster or powerpoint presentation.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Define the role of research at Master’s level
2. Appraise the quality of differing research questions
3. Choose a research question and situate it with the current state of knowledge
4. Create a research methodology
5. Formulate a research proposal and associated research plan

Indicative Module Content:

Discussion and creation of a topic for dissertation research, and a plan for carrying out that research. Topics will include: ethics, defining your research interests, structure of a viable research plan, time management. Much of the fundamental feedback will come via assignments and one-on-one meetings with the module coordinator. Peer group feedback, where possible, will play a coaching vs advisory function.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

14

Specified Learning Activities

50

Autonomous Student Learning

36

Total

100

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
active/task-based learning; peer and group work; lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning; debates; student presentations; optional peer coaching circles. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Additional Information:
Archaeology PhD students (DRHSC001 Z117, DRHSC001 Z118) are exluded.


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Project Proposal Week 9 n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

70

Assignment: Project abstract, proposed approach and initial bibliography. This can be submitted as a written assignment (<1500 words plus bibliography) OR as a video assignment (scripted, <10min, incl biblio) Week 3 n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

10

Presentation: Project Presentation - individual presentations Week 7 n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale No

20


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students are given personal and group feedback at every stage of the process. The final assessment includes additional written feedback using School of Archaeology standard Assessment Sheets

Name Role
Dr Jess Beck Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Joanna Bruck Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Neil Carlin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Claire Cave Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Stephen Davis Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Amanda Kelly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Helen Lewis Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Meriel McClatchie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Barry Molloy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Tadhg O'Keeffe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Brendan O'Neill Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Aidan O'Sullivan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Alan Peatfield Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Anita Radini Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rob Sands Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Graeme Warren Lecturer / Co-Lecturer