module specification

Students will be introduced to various key areas of current research within the area of social sciences and humanities. They will analyse this research, undertake further research and this will inform their research proposal. They will give an oral presentation based on their area of research interest.

This core module aims to enable students to:

• Increase their knowledge and awareness of current research in various areas of social sciences and humanities
• Develop effective presentation skills
• Source and critically analyse published research in their area of interest
• Further develop and practise research skills
• Further develop writing skills required for effective report writing
• Further develop strategies to use feedback to improve writing

The syllabus will introduce students to various current areas of research within the field of social sciences and humanities using various texts, such as newspaper articles, books, videos and academic sources. Examples of published research will be used to critically analyse research findings including graphs, charts and statistics, and to identify further areas to research. Students will be guided through the different stages of creating a short research proposal, including identifying further reading, and look at examples of proposals to identify how to structure their writing. Students will practise the skills needed to give effective presentations.

The module is delivered through classes, one to one student contact, online tasks and guided research sessions.  Examples of class activities include seminar discussions, group tasks, presentation practice and writing practice.  Discussions and formative and summative feedback will give students the opportunity to reflect upon progress and discuss strategies for developing skills (60 hrs).

Students will also engage in ongoing self-directed study to enable them to improve their reading and writing skills and complete required assessment components (90 hrs).

Module information including module booklet and assessment details is available on WebLearn. Blended learning resources such as homework tasks, reading resources, class materials, study support resources and web links are also on WebLearn.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Identify an area of personal interest to research
• Identify how relevant published research relates to their own research
• Analyse and use charts and statistics to support their research
• Summarise relevant secondary research as part of a research project
• Orally present research related to their area of interest
• Write a short research proposal based on their area of interest
• Improve and refine their report based on feedback

Formative assessment will take place throughout the module.
Summative assessment will consist of:
- coursework  - (60%)
- oral presentation – (40%)

Bell, Judith (1993) Doing your Research Project [Buckingham: Open University Press]
Bowden, John (2011) Writing a report : how to prepare, write and present really effective reports  [Oxford : How To Books]
Levin, P. (2005) Successful Teamwork for undergraduates and postgraduates working on group projects [Open University Press: Maidenhead]
Smith, P. (2011) How to write an assignment: proven techniques for producing essays, reports and dissertations that succeed [Oxford: How to Books]
Taylor, S. (2005) Communication for Business, [London: Pearson]