BOTH ELEMENTS ARE FINAL ASSESSMENTS EACH WEIGHTED AT 50%:
• Submission of a research artefact assessing learning outcomes (1-3)
• Justification of the strategies, methodology and approaches adopted (1,500 words) assessing learning outcome 4

You are required to show an informed and at the same time critical understanding of the key skills and attributes within your discipline and to apply these skills in order to create a research artefact (and a reflective piece detailing the process of creation, and any challenges, opportunities or problems encountered during this process) and submit it to an appropriate venue or journal for publication.

In particular, this process will necessitate:
- Undertaking a range of advanced research activities and methodologies
- Developing advanced level communication and presentation skills in order to present your research output to an audience of peers and/or industry professionals
- Reflecting on your engagement with this exercise

The module will build upon work undertaken in earlier modules and you will be required to justify the approaches and methodologies adopted during the research process.

This module will be delivered through a series of 5 x 1-2 hour seminars supported by your research and personal study. Formative assessment on the online discussion forum will be used to encourage research on the subject area.

SCHEDULED LEARNING & TEACHING ACTIVITIES

10 hours of online seminars. You will be expected to post answers onto the discussion forum in advance of the seminar to enable wider discussion of the topic. A live 'Webinar' will be held during each seminar session (5 x 1-2 hours synchronous contact) based on the posted answers in order to give you generic and personal feedback and to facilitate further discussion on the topic.

GUIDED & INDEPENDENT STUDY
Principally this will consist of study to consolidate and develop an understanding of material presented in whole group and online sessions, preparation for work to be undertaken prior to the webinars, and research and preparation relating to the coursework assignment. Guided study will involve the utilisation of information technology (specifically the module blackboard pages and use of relevant legal electronic databases such as Westlaw, Lexis, LawTel etc) which enables interaction with relevant material, at a pace and time convenient to the user. You will be provided with general guidance in the module study guide and receive specific guidance and training where needed.
(140 hours)

Access to appropriate texts and material via module Blackboard site

• A Bryman, SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS (OUP, Oxford, 4th edn, 2013)
• J Holland & J Webb, LEARNING LEGAL RULES: A Student’s Guide to Legal Method and Reasoning (OUP, Oxford, 8th edn)
• WC Booth, GG Colmb, JM Williams, THE CRAFT OF RESEARCH (University of Chicago Press, 3rd edn: 2008)
• N Duarte, SLIDE:OLOGY (O’Reilly, London 2008)

It is expected that students would normally have completed ‘Legal Research Methodology’ or equivalent

1. CRITICALLY EVALUATE AND SYNTHESISE ARGUMENTS, CONCEPTS AND DATA IN A LEGAL RESEARCH AREA OF YOUR CHOICE (Learning, Knowledge & Understanding, Problem-solving)

2. COMMUNICATE AT AN ADVANCED LEVEL TO FIND INFORMATION AND TO EXPLAIN, DEBATE AND PRESENT HIGHLY COMPLEX ARGUMENTS, PROPOSALS AND IDEAS THAT ARE ADAPTED TO THE NEEDS OF DIFFERENT AUDIENCES AND CIRCUMSTANCES (Communication, Enquiry)

3. DEMONSTRATE INITIATIVE AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN IDENTIFYING AND INTEGRATING RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE TO ENHANCE AND SUPPORT ADVANCED LEVEL STUDY (Analysis, Communication, Knowledge & Understanding, Learning, Reflection)

4. REFLECT ON YOUR PROGRESS IN ENGAGING WITH THIS RESEARCH EXERCISE AND JUSTIFY THE FINAL METHODOLOGY AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS ADOPTED (Reflection, Problem-Solving)