Module Descriptors
RESEARCH PROJECT DISSERTATION
GEOG70471
Key Facts
School of Creative Arts and Engineering
Level 7
60 credits
Contact
Leader: Elizabeth Young
Email: L.Young@staffs.ac.uk
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 8
Independent Study Hours: 592
Total Learning Hours: 600
Assessment
- DISSERTATION weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Texts
Conducting research in human geography, Kitchen RM & Tate N (1999)
Doing your research project, Bell J (1999) Open University Press.
The management of a student research project, Sharp J A and Howard K (1996) Gower
Doing your research project, Bell J (1999) Open University Press.
The management of a student research project, Sharp J A and Howard K (1996) Gower
Module Learning Strategies
8 hours workshop
592 hours independent study
You will attend a workshop at which you will be introduced to the module content and learning resources and more importantly be introduced to your project supervisor and the expectations of independent project research. The workshop will reinforce many of the skills and understandings you will have gained through completing previous modules. Over subsequent weeks you will then work through self-instructional course material providing a structure for developing a research approach and methodology, specifying tasks to be completed. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis but at points early in the module you may be expected to interact and share your ideas, questions and frustrations with other students in a designated learning group.
592 hours independent study
You will attend a workshop at which you will be introduced to the module content and learning resources and more importantly be introduced to your project supervisor and the expectations of independent project research. The workshop will reinforce many of the skills and understandings you will have gained through completing previous modules. Over subsequent weeks you will then work through self-instructional course material providing a structure for developing a research approach and methodology, specifying tasks to be completed. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis but at points early in the module you may be expected to interact and share your ideas, questions and frustrations with other students in a designated learning group.
Module Additional Assessment Details
One research project dissertation of approximately 15,000 words. (1,2,3,4,5)
Pass criteria
You will demonstrate a sound awareness and understanding of your project subject matter. The project is written reasonably and coherently. The project is academically sound, evidencing focussed observations and acknowledging key questions. There is evidence of sound reading and thorough critical analysis of the available literature.
Distinction criteria
You will demonstrate an excellent awareness and understanding of your project subject matter. The project is well argued and excellently organized. The project is academically excellent, evidencing perceptiveness, insight and demonstrating creativity and originality. There is evidence of excellent reading, systematic review and thorough critical meta-analysis of the available literature.
Pass criteria
You will demonstrate a sound awareness and understanding of your project subject matter. The project is written reasonably and coherently. The project is academically sound, evidencing focussed observations and acknowledging key questions. There is evidence of sound reading and thorough critical analysis of the available literature.
Distinction criteria
You will demonstrate an excellent awareness and understanding of your project subject matter. The project is well argued and excellently organized. The project is academically excellent, evidencing perceptiveness, insight and demonstrating creativity and originality. There is evidence of excellent reading, systematic review and thorough critical meta-analysis of the available literature.
Module Resources
A networked computer for accessing Blackboard, web sites and electronic journals.
Course texts.
Learning pack.
Course texts.
Learning pack.
Module Indicative Content
The research project is the traditional culmination of study for a masters? award. This module allows you to pursue a particular in sustainable development or environmental management by research into an appropriate topic. That topic will normally be informed by your previous selection of option modules. The first quarter of the module will build upon the Understanding Sustainability Research module through a series of tasks on research design and strategy. These first weeks (following the supervisory workshop) will cover: literature searching, relevance trees, bibliographic sources; research question formulation and research approaches. Having chosen a research approach, you will receive guidance in your chosen research method which will cover: data types, reliability, analysis and sampling design; logistical planning and safety issues. The remainder of the module will be occupied by self guided, supervised research, analysis and writing of your own research project.