This module is 'assessed' by the production of the learning contract, and by any individual pieces of work associated with the various elements that make up the content of the module. These other assessments can be of a wide variety of types.

It should be noted that an assessment is required even when part of this context is experiential or accredited work already done. In this case a "Reflective Appraisal of Previous Work" is required. This document is an expansion upon the content of the learning contract. The student should describe, discuss and make clear (i) what the previous work was, and what 'learning outcomes' were achieved; (ii) why this previous work is relevant to the research project; (iii) how it prepared the student for that project, (iv) why it should be considered of an appropriate level, standard and currency; (v) and why the documentation provided should be considered adequate evidence.

All the various pieces of work agreed on the learning contract are required.

The 'Directed Study' module' is a flexible module; students are encouraged to think of it as a mere shell or basket which they fill up with learning that is determined to be relevant to their overall research project. The student and supervisory team will decide what should be studied in this part of the programme. This may consist of modules regularly offered by the home Faculty at Masters Level and will most likely be subject specific research methods. (There may also be awards offered by other Faculties in qualitative or quantitative methods that are relevant.) Or it may consist of other learning opportunities such as professional conferences or workshops, opportunities to do fieldwork, independent learning, work-place based learning, and so forth. Finally, it may consist of work you have already done, that can be independently shown to be directly relevant, and at the appropriate level to the research project.

This module will require a process of negotiation with the supervisor(s), concerning both the student's needs and what might be able to suit those needs. The culmination of this process is a "learning contract". This will detail and justify the modules/learning opportunities the student proposes to undertake, what learning outcomes will be aimed at, when and where these will be taken, what the results will be and who will be asked to mark these results. The PgCert RM award tutor is commonly involved as a third party in these negotiations.

Meeting rooms, IT and library facilities.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Becker, Howard S. Tricks of the Trade: How to Think About Your Research While You're Doing It .
University of Chicago, 1998.
Blaxter, et al. How to Research. Open University, 2001.
Booth, et al. The Craft of Research. University of Chicago, 2003.
Coombes, Hilary. Research Using IT. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.
Wisker, Gina. The Postgraduate Research Handbook. Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.