100% Coursework, consisting of 1 item:
- ARM Paper - a research paper of about 10.000 words focused deeply on the chosen topic in the area of research as defined by the Learning Contract. The paper will be presented in a formal presentation followed by a verbal examination. Both items are combined in the assessment (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4).

You must write the paper in a publishable style, showing a deep and developing understanding of your chosen area of study, and present it in a seminar to a panel, including your supervisor and an assessor. The standard should be that of a paper that could be submitted to a refereed journal in your chosen topic area. You should be aware of the ethical issues that may impinge on research projects in general and behave ethically by following relevant guidelines in carrying out your ARM research. The emphasis of the paper is on demonstrating a detailed and critical knowledge of your chosen specialist research topic (i.e. the analytical or evaluative element will be emphasised).

You will further refine and focus your individual programme of study that was developed in the Discipline Specific Module, as originally defined by the Learning Contract that was produced in the Research Methods Module. Then you will produce an assessed advanced research paper (of circa 10,000 words) on an original topic selected from the broader body of knowledge in your chosen domain (as defined in the discipline specific paper). You will present your assessed paper to a small panel of faculty staff who are researching in your chosen topic at an advanced level. The assessment will normally be carried out by your supervisor and a second assessor.
Note: where the word 'originality' appears in this Module Descriptor, this is taken to mean work that is original to the student, rather than to the world in general. Thus, an original piece of work would be one that the student has produced on his or her own initiative that is does not draw heavily on the work of others. A demonstration of originality would mean that the student shows innovation and/or initiative in arriving at an idea, a conclusion or an artefact. It is not expected that the item would be completely original in the sense of never having been done before.

These learning strategies will occupy your time:
- There will be a heavy emphasis on independent learning as a facilitator of research;
- Personal supervision sessions, between the supervisor and student.
- Students will be invited to attend the programme of regular seminars and presentations given by researchers and external speakers as part of the faculty research activity;

The delivery of the module is approximately as follows:
- 300 hours on the ARM Paper

The module is delivered as follows:
- 40 hours direct supervision;
- 260 hours independent learning.

Successful completion of the Discipline Specific Module or its equivalent.

Recommended text:

Evans, L. (2002) Reflective Practice in Educational Research: Developing Advanced Skills, Continuum, London, ISBN: 0826453635

You will need access to these resources:
- Published journals and text books and the inter-library loan service;
- Electronic and on-line information sources (e.g. BIDS/Searchbank) and World Wide Web;
- Word processing, data analysis and presentation graphics software;
- Regular supervision from a member of faculty staff with advanced research credentials in your research topic.