This module supports students through the various stages of project design in preparation for the Climate Change and Society Independent Research Project/Workplace Project at Level 6. The first part of this module further develops key transferable research and dissemination skills, such as oral & digital communication, critical reading, debating, dealing with contentious ideas, problem-solving and personal development planning.

The second part of the module focuses more specifically on supporting and enabling students to design their independent research project; it includes: mind-mapping, literature searching and reviewing; research question formulation and research approaches; data types, reliability, analysis and sampling design; logistical planning and ethical and safety issues.

There are a number of interdependent assessments or this module.
1. A zero weighted skills portfolio designed to allow students to develop transferable skills for research and dissemination including questionnaire design, interviewing and digital content creation (Learning outcomes 1, 2 &3.
Assessments two, three and four are undertaken with a personal tutor based upon the topic chosen.
2. A literature-based assignment based around the students intend topic for dissertation report (Learning outcome 5).
3. An oral presentation. This element includes time for questions, enabling students to outline their project plan and get feedback from staff and peers before submitting their research project proposal.
4. A project plan proforma in which the student details their intended dissertation research including research questions, rationale, theoretical underpinning, methodological approach, ethical and risk issues and research materials (Learning outcome 5 also includes elements from each of the other learning outcomes).

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) Skills workshops with guided independent learning tasks.
(b) independent learning through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based materials to develop a detailed knowledge of an environmental issue of your choice.
(c) Student led tutorials based around selecting a research topic and designing a research project.

Module Learning Outcome
1. Develop an understanding of a suite of research methods suitable for researching the climate crisis.

University Learning Outcome
Knowledge & Understanding, application, Problem Solving

Module Learning Outcome
2. Demonstrating a critical understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of research techniques.

University Learning Outcome
Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Enquiry

Module Learning Outcome
3. Develop an appreciation of varied dissemination techniques for communicating research findings.

University Learning Outcome
Analysis

Module Learning Outcome
4. To collate, synthesis and evaluate academic literature on a selected issue related to the climate crisis.

University Learning Outcome
Knowledge & Understanding, Learning

Module Learning Outcome
5. Communicate ideas effectively and critically through a formal oral presentation

University Learning Outcome
Application, Communication

Module Learning Outcome
6. To select a topic, design and justify a research project/environmental campaign to be implemented in the Level 6 Independent Project. Including research questions, methodology, action plan and data analysis associated with a specific project topic.

University Learning Outcome
Enquiry Application, Problem solving

Module Learning Outcome
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and safety dimensions of project work and apply those effectively to a specific project plan.

University Learning Outcome
Problem Solving, Application, Reflection

VLE for online learning.
High quality teaching space for workshops and face to face seminars where appropriate with usual audio-visual facilities.
Library resources both online and physical to support research.

1. Clifford, N. & Cope, M. 2016. Key Methods in Geography (3rd edition). Sage Publications.
2. Gomez, B. & Jones, J.P. 2010. Research Methods in Geography. Wiley-Blackwell.
3. Kneale, P. 2011. Study Skills for Geography, Earth & Environmental Science Students. Hodder Education
4. Parsons, T 2015. How to do your dissertation in Geography and related disciplines (3rd Edition). Chapman & Hall.

Completed 120 credits at L4

The Researching the Climate Crisis Module prepares you for the Level 6 Independent Project. In this module you will learn a number of transferable skills that will enable you to develop and disseminate academically credible research on environmental issues.