POL3103 : Community-based Research in Politics
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr David Walker
- Co-Module Leader: Professor Stephen Elstub
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
- Capacity limit: 20 student places
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Students who take this module will have the opportunity to develop their research skills (as well as a range of generic skills, including presentation and communication skills, leadership, teamwork, time management, project management and working with external partners) through active involvement in a real research project that is designed to address a genuine gap in the knowledge/understanding of policy-makers/practitioners interested in Newcastle and the North-East of England. The student researchers will have the opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of effective research practice. Throughout the module, students will be asked to critically reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses as researchers (as well as their generic skills) and they will be encouraged to contribute to the research project in ways that will allow them both to demonstrate their existing strengths and improve their skills in areas where they are less strong.
Outline Of Syllabus
The following topics and tasks will be covered across the two semesters:
Overview of the module
Meet the partner organisations
Team allocation and identifying a research question
Reviewing the literature
Research design
Ethics in research
Ethical approval
Planning data collection and analysis
Data collection
Data analysis
Drafting report
Prepare report for presentation Week 21: Present report at workshop Week 22: Review of workshop
Prepare portfolio
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured non-synchronous discussion | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | PIP Weekly student-led meetings to discuss their research |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 22 | 2:00 | 44:00 | PIP Workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 1 | 200:00 | 200:00 | Students working independently and in groups to complete research project. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | End of year workshops with community partners. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | PiP Workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 40 | 1:00 | 40:00 | Students reflecting on their development of skills and how to present them to potential employers. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 66:00 | 66:00 | Students working independently to revise and prepare material for their research portfolios. |
| Total | 400:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will engage directly with practitioners and policy-makers to identify potential research questions. Students will then select a preferred project and be placed on a student research team for the duration of the academic year. Students will be required to attend one weekly 2-hour workshop and one weekly 1-hour workshop covering group project tasks and skills teaching. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their learning and skills development throughout the module. Findings will be presented directly to practitioners in a half day workshop (conference) at the end of the academic year.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 2 | M | 80 | Individual Research Portfolio (8000 words) |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | 20 | Group Presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Given this module constitutes a significant component of the final year of study, it is important to ensure that a significant portion of the assessment is based on individual performance and attainment. As a result, the students will primarily be assessed on an individual research portfolio. This portfolio will be highly structured with 4-6 individual pieces of work addressing different aspects of the research process broadly, the student’s research project specifically, and self-reflective exercises regarding skill attainment, The individual research portfolio gives students the opportunity to develop their personal research and reflective skills while also moving towards an overall group goal.
The work done in the individual research portfolios provides the research teams with the resources to formulate a policy report and presentation given on behalf of their partner organisation. This aspect of the assessment emphasises the importance of teamwork and offers the students the opportunity to showcase their achievements.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL3103's Timetable