Students will apply the skills and knowledge gained through the research skills module to an independent piece of work, on a topic chosen by the student, undertaken through a literature review and/or work-related investigation. The independent work may draw on the work experiences of the student. The skills and knowledge the students will use include:
- Application of research ethics as they apply to the topic chosen;
- Surveying existing knowledge and research evidence on a topic of interest - using relevant literature - particularly peer reviewed articles, web-based and secondary sources;
- Undertaking a formal literature review;
- Defining a research problem;
- Formulating a research design;
- Organising research activity;
- Depending on the research problem and focus of the project would involve conducting an extensive literature review and evaluating previous research in the light of central theoretical issues in the field of community practice and/or developing research instruments and applying qualitative and/or quantitative methods to already existing data sets.
- Analysing of qualitative and/or quantitative data or results of literature review
- Dissertation writing

The module incorporates three inter-related learning strategies. There will be whole group sessions, which will give students an overview of the requirements of the module and the assessments (1.5 x 2 = 3 hourw). There will also be small group sessions or individual sessions, e.g. tutorials, in which students will receive support and guidance in relation to their individual research (12 hours). Finally, the students will pursue independent study (585 hours), which will allowthem to research and write their dissertation.

Module handbook.
Access to appropriate texts.
Computer facilities will be needed to access material available on the web and specialist on-line data bases.

Denscombe M , 'The Good Research Guide', Buckingham: Open University Press 1998
Nigel Gilbert, 'Researching Social Life', London: Sage 2001
Bell, J , 'Doing Your Research Project' ,3rd ed. Buckingham: Open University Press1999,
May, T , 'Social Research' ,2nd ed. Buckingham: Open University Press1999,.