Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Project 8000-10,000 word project in the style of an academic journal article Project | 80% |
| Semester Assessment | Poster and Poster Presentation Poster and Poster Presentation | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary Poster and Poster Presentation Resubmission of failed (< 50%) components (i.e. project, and/or poster). Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the recalculation of the resat module mark. | 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Supplementary project Resubmission of failed (< 50%) components (i.e. project, and/or poster). Marks for passed components will be carried forward in the recalculation of the resat module mark. Project | 80% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Plan, design and execute a piece of rigorous geographical research or enquiry.
Undertake effective and appropriate empirical research, including the collection of primary and/or secondary data.
Analyse data in a rigorous manner, employing appropriate techniques and interpret finding in the context of existing knowledge and theories.
Produce a substantial written research project in the style of an academic journal article.
Design a professional poster and deliver a short presentation relating to it at a poster exhibition.
Brief description
This module takes the form of a final year student-led independent research project for Geography Integrated Master’s students. An appropriate topic of geographical relevance is proposed by the student and approved by their supervisor. The project involves five stages: (i) the identification of a research topic and development of an appropriate research plan; (ii) empirical research to collect primary data and/or collate information from secondary sources, as appropriate for the research issue; (iii) the analysis of data and information, including the interpretation of findings in the context of existing knowledge and theories; (iv) the design of a poster based upon key findings, and the delivery of a short illustrative presentation on the poster (scheduled to take place towards the end of semester 1); (v) produce a research project written in the style of a specific academic journal under the guidance of the project supervisor. This would typically be 8000-9000 words and should not exceed 10000 words in length (to be submitted in semester 2).
Content
(i) individual meetings with their supervisor. These meetings will enable the supervisor to provide their student with individual feedback and guidance and will also act as the basis for the personal tutor system in the final year;
(ii) two generic skills lectures for the degree scheme or the whole year group, where appropriate. Some of these will act as support sessions for the project, e.g. structuring your project, poster design, while others may focus on CPD issues, e.g. relating to skills and employability.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | If appropriate to the selected research topic, students may develop numerical skills through the collection, analysis and presentation of quantitative data. |
| Communication | Written communication skills are developed through the production of a written dissertation. Oral communication skills are developed through: the poster presentation; discussion of the research - individually and in groups; and may be developed through empirical research where verbal research methods are employed (e.g. interviews and questionnaires). |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students will be encouraged to reflect on their experience of planning and undertaking research in individual and group discussions |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to employ appropriate IT resources in identifying data sources and collecting data (e.g. internet, electronic information resources), in data analysis (e.g. statistical packages), in preparing for the oral presentation (e.g. Powerpoint) and in producing the final dissertation (e.g. word processing, GIS and mapping packages). |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Personal development and career planning will be developed as part of the supervision meetings that are a part of this module. In addition, the generic skills developed through the research project will have significant transferability to a wide range of career contexts. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills are developed through the identification of research questions, appropriate methodology and research plan, and through responses to difficulties experienced during data collection. |
| Research skills | Research skills are developed through the collection and analysis of data appropriate for investigation of the research questions. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Subject-specific skills are developed, but their exact nature depends on the individual nature of each research project. |
| Team work | Team work will be developed through group debates and work in the group support sessions. These skills will not be assessed formally. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7