Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 x 2 Hour Lectures |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Research Proposal | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | 10,000-word dissertation | 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Research Proposal | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 10,000-word dissertation | 70% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate some critical awareness of research methodologies used to explore and interrogate various fields of study.
2. Demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate independent research on a chosen topic within the relevant disciplinary field.
3. Produce a dissertation that evaluates and synthesizes written materials and conforms to standard conventions used in published works.
Brief description
This module enables students to conduct advanced supervised independent research into an area of theatre, drama, performance and scenographic studies and film, television, media and communication studies that is of particular interest to them. Students will be given the opportunity of devising, planning, researching and writing a substantive piece of critical and analytical work (10, 000 words). In addition, students will be equipped with the pre-requisite research methods which will allow them to undertake this independent research project.
Content
10 x 2 hour Lecture/Workshops (Semester 1)
6 x 30 minute Dissertation Tutorials with supervisors (Semester 1 + 2)
Lectures during Semester 1 will provide students with basic research training - how to plan a project, how to establish a viable research question, how to identify suitable methodology, how to identify relevant reading and how to compile a reference list.
Following the initial sessions, students will be allocated a supervisor who will work with the student on refining the research proposal and on more topic-specific research methods. The remainder of the module will focus on supervisory meetings and writing the dissertation.
Lecture content:
1. WHAT IS: a dissertation?
2. HOW TO: identify a research question
3. HOW TO: identify a methodology
4. HOW TO: structure and present your dissertation
5. HOW TO: write a research propsal and plan your dissertation
6. SOURCES AND RESOURCES 1: Online archives and databases
7. SOURCES AND RESOURCES 2: What is an archive and how can I use it?
8. SOURCES AND RESOURCES 3: National Library
9. Research Ethics
10. Research in Action
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | This is not developed in this module. |
| Communication | Written communication will be developed through the writing of the dissertation. Oral communication is not formally developed in the context of this module. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Students' own learning and performance will be enhanced through the regular tutorial meetings. |
| Information Technology | This is not developed explicitly in this module but students will be required to use electronic sources for research material. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Although not developed explicitly, this module may serve as a starting point for those wishing to study at a more advanced level (e.g. taught postgraduate or doctoral level). |
| Problem solving | This is developed as an inherent part of the research process through the research questions formulated as part of the dissertation. |
| Research skills | These will be developed initially as students compile the annotated bibliography but will be developed further during the research process prior to writing the dissertation. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Critical scholarly writing skills within the disciplinary fields are developed in this module. Students will develop a deeper understanding of the literature within their field of interest. |
| Team work | Team work is not developed in this module given the independent nature of the dissertation. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6