Module Information

Module Identifier
TP36000
Module Title
Independent Research Project
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Dr Andrew Filmer
Semester
Semester 1 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Dissertation  10000 Words  70%
Semester Assessment Research Proposal  Research Proposal 2500 Words  30%
Supplementary Assessment Dissertation  10000 Words  70%
Supplementary Assessment Research Proposal  Research Proposal 2500 Words  30%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate some critical awareness of research methodologies used to explore and interrogate various fields of study.

Demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate independent research on a chosen topic within the relevant disciplinary field.

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

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:

WHAT IS: a dissertation?
HOW TO: identify a research question
HOW TO: identify a methodology
HOW TO: structure and present your dissertation
HOW TO: write a research propsal and plan your dissertation
SOURCES AND RESOURCES 1: Online archives and databases
SOURCES AND RESOURCES 2: What is an archive and how can I use it?
SOURCES AND RESOURCES 3: National Library
Research Ethics
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