Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

English Language to IELTS 6.0 or Pearson’s 54 or equivalent. Satisfy admissions or progression requirement for entry to Stage 1 of a Natural and Environmental degree programme at Level 3

Co Requisite Comment

Stage 1 of a Natural and Environmental degree

Aims

The aims of this module as follows:
a) To develop knowledge of the wide range of research carried out in the Natural Sciences at Newcastle university, the challenges this research addresses and its impact.
b) To develop an understanding of the reach and significance of research and the researcher’s responsibility for steering and developing the impact (e.g. economic, societal etc.) and
c) To evaluate methods used to monitor and enhance the effectiveness of impactful research and the development of impact case studies.

Outline Of Syllabus

Background -
Every six years, UK higher education institutions are assessed on the quality of the research they produce. In 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) impact of research was assessed for the first time, with the aim of improving the achievements of the higher education sector, both in undertaking excellent research and in building on this to achieve demonstrable benefits (e.g. to the economy and society). The REF website defines impact ‘as an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia’. The assessment of impact was based on expert review of case studies submitted by higher education institutions. Case studies could include any impact that had taken place during the assessment period and was underpinned by excellent research produced by the submitting institution’.

Case studies submitted asked the institutions to clearly explain and demonstrate the impacts through a narrative that included indicators and evidence as appropriate to the case being made, including:

•       The underpinning research and evidence of its quality
•       The way in which the research contributed to the impact
•       The nature and extent of the impact
•       Evidence from independent sources that could be followed up to verify claims made.

The Module
The module will consist of introductory lectures that will introduce the concept of Research Impact. This will be followed by a series of lectures and follow-up workshops based around the impact case studies submitted by SNES for the last REF submission. In preparation for each lecture / workshop you will be expected to read the appropriate case study and some of the supporting research, and then during each workshop you will be able to ask questions about any aspects of the research that you do not understand and join in a discussion on how the impact of the research could be expanded further through greater application or dissemination. These sessions will illustrate the powerful influence of multidisciplinary / interdisciplinary research that attempts to solve some of the challenges addressed by projects within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences (SNES).

Material discussed in the lectures and tutorials will be examined by an online MCQ format in short formative tests at the end of each session and a final summative exam designed to test the breadth of your knowledge of the case studies presented.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to understand (at lower levels of achievement) and describe (at higher levels of achievement):

1)Understand the role of research to solve some of the challenges addressed by projects within the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
2)Understand how the school research has impacted on the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life, beyond academia
3)Synthesise an overview of a range of REF case studies and learn how to discuss their findings

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the Module a successful student will be able to:

1)Conduct research on impact case studies using on-line resources/databases and workshops with academics
2)Critically assess scientific outputs, outcomes and impacts through evaluation of claims of impact of research and ways to test this in practice.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Seminars with accompanying case studies, including from the experts who submitted them, provide core knowledge-based content. Workshops and visits (discussion groups and debates) provide knowledge exchange opportunities to develop and enhance knowledge and skills. The seminars and workshops will be recorded and placed on Canvas to enable those students who are unable attend these sessions in person.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative assessment at the end of each workshop session will enable student understanding and progress to be monitored throughout this module.

The digital exam (MCQ) will examine theory on research impact methodology and practical applications (all outcomes).

General Notes

N/A