Explore UCD

UCD Home >

GEOG40390

Academic Year 2025/2026

Research Design (GEOG40390)

Subject:
Geography
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Geography
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Julien Mercille
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to research design as related to their Masters dissertation. It requires significant independent reading, writing and thinking. The training will allow students to initiate and progress work toward the MA/MSc dissertation. Successful completion of this module will be a requirement to proceed to the thesis component of the Masters programmes.

About this Module

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 their specialist area.
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

24
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

124

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.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Written proposal Week 14 Graded No
60
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Seminar report. A 500-word critical report on a School seminar of your choice (from the School's seminar series during the trimester). Week 12 Graded No
10
 Yes
Assignment(Including Essay): Presentation of your Masters project/thesis on Week 10. Week 10 Graded No
30
 Yes

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, post-assessment

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.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 12 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 3 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 5 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 6 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.