The Humanities and Social Sciences Independent Research Project is a compulsory module on the Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma in Humanities and Social Sciences. It provides you with the background knowledge and skills needed for the successful completion of a piece of empirical research in the field of Humanities and Social Sciences. You will build upon skills and knowledge learnt in IFP/IFJ6011 and those of you studying in the fields of Business and Management, and Politics and International Relations will select a sample; design, pilot and conduct a questionnaire; analyse your results, and write up your findings in a 5,000 word report. Those of you progressing to the MA in Film Studies will be taught separately and will be guided in writing a theoretical project which looks closely at the topic of genre.
Module Structure:You will have a two hour class each week, in addition to three hours of individual tutorials divided up into 30 minute slots spread out over the semester.
Learning Outcomes: By the end of the module you will be able to:
• Demonstrate the study skills required for successful completion of a research project at level 6 and beyond;• Demonstrate the writing skills required for writing up a completed research project;• Engage and be proactive in class and in tutorials and to take control of your own research plans and ideas;• Show assimilation of skills required for successful report writing; • Articulate the main steps carried out and main results found in a 10 minutes individual presentation;• Apply critical thinking and reading skills to the field of research;• Work on multiple tasks at the same time and to plan and organise your own time efficiently and effectively;• Summarise your own research and communicate this to your peers in the form of a presentation.
Aims: The module aims to adequately prepare you for conducting and writing up a research project within Humanities and Social Sciences. This will be achieved by breaking down the research process into skill areas, which will be taught and studied each week.
Assessment:You will be assessed by coursework only, consisting of: • 5,000 Word Report (80%) • Presentation (20%)
You will be provided with regular formative feedback on your written work, research design and general interaction with the research process through tutorials.
Who teaches this module?Charlotte Assimakopoulos, James Crichton Bell, Jenny Brown, Mark Heffernan, Julian Ridler