Module Descriptors
RESEARCH SKILLS AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
BIOL60473
Key Facts
School of Health, Science and Wellbeing
Level 6
15 credits
Contact
Leader: Paul Mitchell
Email: P.Mitchell@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 21
Independent Study Hours: 129
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- PORTFOLIO weighted at 20%
- PROJECT PROPOSAL weighted at 80%
Module Details
Module Special Admissions Requirements
None
Module Learning Strategies
The module will be delivered via 15 hours of lectures covering PDP and project development and 5 hours of statistics and data gathering with an additional minimum 1 hour individual tutorial.
The independent study time should be split approximately 79 hours reading and 50 hours assessment preparation.
The independent study time should be split approximately 79 hours reading and 50 hours assessment preparation.
Module Indicative Content
This module will develop your skills required to effectively enhance your prospects in the rural management employment market. Methods of data gathering and analysis and statistics required for ecological research will be developed along with the ethical implications of undertaking research. At the end you will have the ability to market yourself to prospective employers. In addition you will develop a detailed plan for your level 3 research project. The project will show synergy with your career aspirations.
Module Resources
Internet access
Careers and employer literature
Access web materials by the careers service via staffordshire web server
Statistics for the Terrified software
Careers and employer literature
Access web materials by the careers service via staffordshire web server
Statistics for the Terrified software
Module Additional Assessment Details
- A personal development portfolio weighted at 20% to include career planning marketing experience to opportunities and job applications (LO 1,2)
- A project plan weighted at 80% 2000 words to introduce and scientifically justify the chosen research project to include detailed methodology, design and appropriate planning (LO 3,4)
Formative assessment will take the form of tutor review of portfolio and project plan prior to final submission.
- A project plan weighted at 80% 2000 words to introduce and scientifically justify the chosen research project to include detailed methodology, design and appropriate planning (LO 3,4)
Formative assessment will take the form of tutor review of portfolio and project plan prior to final submission.
Module Texts
Barnard, C. et al (2007). Asking Questions in Biology: A Guide to Hypothesis Testing, Experimental Design and Presentation in Practical Work and Research Projects. 3rd Ed. Benjamin Cummings.
Dytham, C. (2003). Choosing and Using Statistics: A Biologist's Guide. 2nd Ed. Blackwell Science Ltd.
Robson, C. (2002). Real World Research. A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers. 2nd Ed. Blackwell Publishing.
Sutherland, W.J. (2006). Ecological Census Techniques. 2nd Ed. Cambridge University Press.
Swetnam, P. (2000). Writing your Dissertation: the Bestselling Guide to Planning, Preparing and Presenting FIrst Class Work. How to Books Ltd.
Dytham, C. (2003). Choosing and Using Statistics: A Biologist's Guide. 2nd Ed. Blackwell Science Ltd.
Robson, C. (2002). Real World Research. A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner-Researchers. 2nd Ed. Blackwell Publishing.
Sutherland, W.J. (2006). Ecological Census Techniques. 2nd Ed. Cambridge University Press.
Swetnam, P. (2000). Writing your Dissertation: the Bestselling Guide to Planning, Preparing and Presenting FIrst Class Work. How to Books Ltd.