This module is assessed through a single extended critical investigation (6,000 words or equivalent multimodal output). Students undertake an independent, in-depth study of an aspect of creative practice and culture relevant to their specialism, connecting theory, research, and practice.

Students may submit their investigation in one of the following negotiated formats:

Option 1: Written critical study (6,000 words)
Option 2: Audio essay (25-30 minutes)
Option 3: Video essay (15-20 minutes)
Option 4: Interactive digital publication: mixed written and multimedia content (4,000 words)

Clear guidance will be provided in the module brief.

All formats must demonstrate equivalent levels of research depth, critical analysis, ethical awareness, and academic rigour. They will also be supplemented with visual references.

The assessment requires students to evidence advanced research skills, including the selection of appropriate methodologies, critical engagement with relevant academic literature, ethical research practice, analysis and evaluation of findings, and clear communication of conclusions. Students must also reflect on the rationale for their chosen focus, methods, and format.

Students select the assessment format best suited to their learning profile and professional aspirations. Structured draft feedback, research workshops, and individual tutorials are embedded throughout the module to support progression and how it impacts your professional practice.

Formative Assessment:
Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

This level 6 module offers you an opportunity to conduct a significant independent critical investigation of an aspect of creative practice and culture.

To do this, you will be tasked with undertaking an extended critical study culminating in a single piece of work, which could be a major written report or an appropriate and equivalent multimodal output such as a podcast, visual essay, or interactive digital publication (to be negotiated with the tutor beforehand).

You will be required to connect theoretical inquiry with creative practice to demonstrate advanced research and analytical skills by:

- effectively preparing and structuring a long-form piece of academic work
- showing understanding of relevant methodologies by selecting methods appropriate and effective for your investigation
- conducting a review of relevant and advanced academic literature and applying appropriate theories
- showing understanding of ethics in research by completing the appropriate and necessary ethics application and adhering to ethical guidelines
- analysing and evaluating data within your critical frameworks
- effectively communicating and presenting your research findings
- demonstrating evaluation skills by explaining why you have undertaken this investigation and designed it as you have

By building on the skills, insights and experiences that you have gained in conducting research and critical enquiry through your course so far so, therefore, the module allows you to explore an aspect of creative
practice and culture and its relationship to society more deeply than you have before. As a result, you should be prepared for postgraduate study and gain a better understanding of your specialist field.

1. Conduct advanced research into a specialist area within the creative industries, critically evaluating the limitations of sources and data.

Programme Learning Outcome: Research Skills

2. Apply critical reasoning to analyse a contemporary, theoretical, ethical, cultural, or sustainability debate relevant to your specialism, which may include collaboration with others.

Programme Learning Outcome: Critical Reasoning & Collaboration, Knowledge & Understanding

3. Communicate a sustained argument through an extended critical study using appropriate academic practice to specialist audiences.

Programme Learning Outcome: Communication

4. Reflect critically on how contextual understanding shapes your professional practice.

Programme Learning Outcome: Reflection

Lectures
Seminar discussions
Tutorials
Drop-in support sessions

- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant

Collins, H. (2025) Creative research: Research theory and practice for the creative industries. 3rd edn. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. Available at: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/creative-research-9781350330375/ (Accessed: 14 January 2026).

Cottrell, S. (2023) Critical thinking skills: Effective analysis, argument, and reflection. 4th edn. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Cottrell, S. (2024) The study skills handbook. 6th edn. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Day, T. (2023) Success in academic writing. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Greetham, B. (2020) How to write your literature review. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

Is there an area of cultural production that you are passionate about, and you want to find out more? This module gives you that opportunity to conduct a significant critical investigation to explore an aspect of creative practice and culture more deeply than you have before. Whether you produce a written report, an audio essay, or an interactive digital publication, the process that you follow in this module will enable you to further enhance your critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills, and ultimately help you to gain a better understanding of your specialist field.