Module Descriptors
RESEARCH METHODS
LAWS70758
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 7
30 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 0
Independent Study Hours: 300
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 20%
- ASSIGNMENT - SECOND ASSIGNMENT weighted at 30%
- ASSIGNMENT - THIRD ASSIGNMENT weighted at 50%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
- Participating in a range of activities associated with the online learning environment.
- Undertaking a range of basic research activity related to Law.
- Developing higher level skills in writing, summarising and critical assessment.
- Reaching an understanding of research strategies through the comparison and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
- Consideration of research ethics.
- Undertaking a critical analysis of personal development and employability issues.
- Undertaking a range of basic research activity related to Law.
- Developing higher level skills in writing, summarising and critical assessment.
- Reaching an understanding of research strategies through the comparison and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
- Consideration of research ethics.
- Undertaking a critical analysis of personal development and employability issues.
Module Learning Strategies
The focus of this award is on independent directed study. The online module is constructed in such a way as to provide guidance as to each section by providing:
- Learning Outcomes
- Module Outline
- Reading
- Tasks / Discussions
In every section there are topics for discussion which will be indicated in the Course Documents section and conducted via the Discussion Boards. The tutor will regularly monitor the discussions and contribute where appropriate.
Students will also be encouraged to communicate with the tutor via email if they feel it is a matter unsuitable for the Discussion Boards.
Discussion Boards will be 'live' for limited periods only, to encourage students to participate regularly, rather than leave it all to the last-minute. At the end of the 'live' period, all discussions will be archived, and the archives will still be accessible to the students on a 'read-only' basis.
- Learning Outcomes
- Module Outline
- Reading
- Tasks / Discussions
In every section there are topics for discussion which will be indicated in the Course Documents section and conducted via the Discussion Boards. The tutor will regularly monitor the discussions and contribute where appropriate.
Students will also be encouraged to communicate with the tutor via email if they feel it is a matter unsuitable for the Discussion Boards.
Discussion Boards will be 'live' for limited periods only, to encourage students to participate regularly, rather than leave it all to the last-minute. At the end of the 'live' period, all discussions will be archived, and the archives will still be accessible to the students on a 'read-only' basis.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Each 30 CATS module will be assessed in the following manner:
- Week 4: Assignment worth 20% of the total marks - 1500 words or equivalent (please see below); assesses learning outcomes 1 and 6
- Week 8: Assignment worth 30% of the total marks - 2500 words or equivalent (please see below); assesses learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
- These smaller assessments in weeks 4 & 8 could take a variety of forms e.g. book review, summarizing a series of articles, multiple-choice tests, compilation of a portfolio and short questions on specific sections within the module.
- Week 15: main assignment which assesses the total knowledge of the module, worth 50% of the total marks for the module [4000 words] - assesses all learning outcomes
The rationale behind the multiple assessments is to encourage the students to keep pace with the course, especially as it is delivered from a distance.
- Week 4: Assignment worth 20% of the total marks - 1500 words or equivalent (please see below); assesses learning outcomes 1 and 6
- Week 8: Assignment worth 30% of the total marks - 2500 words or equivalent (please see below); assesses learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6
- These smaller assessments in weeks 4 & 8 could take a variety of forms e.g. book review, summarizing a series of articles, multiple-choice tests, compilation of a portfolio and short questions on specific sections within the module.
- Week 15: main assignment which assesses the total knowledge of the module, worth 50% of the total marks for the module [4000 words] - assesses all learning outcomes
The rationale behind the multiple assessments is to encourage the students to keep pace with the course, especially as it is delivered from a distance.
Module Resources
Access to appropriate texts, cases and legislation, especially via specialist online legal databases e.g. Westlaw [utilising the Athens password system].
Module Texts
Huxley-Binns, Riley & Turner: Unlocking Legal Learning, Hodder Arnold, 2005