GEOG40390 Research Design

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module introduces students to the tools and techniques of designing an effective research proposal. It requires significant independent reading, writing and thinking. The training will lead to the production of fully-fledged, individual research proposals that will form the basis for the MA/MSc dissertation.The module may include an intensive workshop during the semester, scheduled outside of normal lecture times, and is a mandatory requirement of the module. Successful completion of this module will be a requirement to proceed to the thesis component of the Masters programmes.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this module students should have:
1. Formulated the research framework for their MA/MSc dissertation.
2. Developed critical thinking, critical reading, writing, presentation skills and research design skills.
3. Advanced their understanding of research themes in a specialist area of geography.
4. Greater awareness of the demands and requirements of autonomous learning.

Indicative Module Content:

Literature reviews: Search process (topics, keywords, bibliographies – relevance)
Research approaches
Critical thinking and reading
Critical writing and writing strategies / literature map
Research questions: Identification, hypotheses and effectiveness
Elements of a research proposal
Academic writing
Methods
Project management
Giving presentations

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

16
Field Trip/External Visits

8
Autonomous Student Learning

140
Total

164
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is a student-led module which requires active/task-based learning including some peer and group work to supplement in-class lectures. Learning and assessments require critical writing and reflective learning which facilitates the steady progress of thesis dissertation writing involving enquiry & problem-based learning. The module also requires student presentations and peer-review. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Written Proposal Unspecified n/a Graded No

40
Presentation: Presentation Unspecified n/a Graded No

40
Continuous Assessment: A series of research design tasks, class participation, including attendance to School's research seminar series Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

20

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback for the assessments throughout the trimester will be given to the student individually post submission and/or during class.