Aims

To develop the investigative, research and report presentation skills of a student and to provide the opportunity for a student to study a chosen topic in considerable depth.

This module develops the student's investigative, research and report presentation skills and provides them with the opportunity to study a chosen topic in considerable depth.

Outline Of Syllabus

Investigative research project, the specific content of which should be agreed between student and project supervisor.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module is an independent research project and subject specific knowledge acquired depends on the nature of the topic chosen. Under supervision, students undertake a range of research methods and develop key skills in areas such as literature review, data collection, writing and presentation. The exercise of keeping a diary and up-to-date work diary log book reinforces the emphasis on generic research methods, as does the participation in a 'final year conference' (at which all topics are presented in conference-style) as an audience member and as a speaker with a 25-minute conference presentation.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Specialist knowledge and skills imparted by this module are assessed by quality of the final dissertation (coursework item 1), the oral conference paper developed from the dissertation (coursework item 2) and the diary/log of the research process (coursework item 3). Each project is assessed specifically by the supervisor and second marker in accordance with appropriate assessment categories agreed between student and supervisor (marking limits for each category of assessment are defined within the standard, flexibly applied, Marking Scheme for this module). There is an established mechanism for resolving marking discrepancies. There is a small element of peer-assessment contributing to item 2.