Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Module Identifier
TFM6730
Module Title
RESEARCH METHODS
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Sarah K Thomas
Semester
Semester 1
Mutually Exclusive
TFM0830
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY PROJECT  25%
Semester Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION OF DISSERTATION PROPOSAL  25%
Semester Assessment DISSERTATION PROPOSAL  50%

Learning Outcomes

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

*understand the demands of academic research at the postgraduate level

*understand what qualifies as 'good' research, and the role of effective methods within this

*understand the primary requirements for putting together and writing a dissertation

Content

  1. What is a Resarch Question?
  2. Methods of Research and Analysis
  3. Presentation of Staff Research Projects with Particular Focus on the Methodologies Employed
  4. The Importance of Methods
  5. Putting it Together: Dissertation Writing
  6. Preseantation of Student Dissertation Projects

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication Students will be expected to contribute to in-class discussions and relate their own research progress orally in seminar gropus, but in addition they will be expected to present their own dissertation topics in the form of an oral presentation/lecture in the second semester.
Improving own Learning and Performance Throughout the module, there will be opoints when students willl bge asked to think reflecively on their own readings/viewings, as well as how their own research is progressing.
Information Technology Students will be expected to make use of the web fpr their own research. increasingly students are expected to be aware, and more imortantly critically aware of the unlimited resources available to them on the internet.
Problem solving This element is developed through students' questioning how (i.e what are the appropriate methodologies) to access the kinds of research questions their chosen topic favours. By problematizing the perception of what constitutes 'good research', the students will have to think differently about their dissertations, and how they are going to achieve this.
Research skills This element is developed in two ways: one, through students' own investigations into what existing materials are available to them and their application for their own research; and two,through a particular focus on preparation for doing their own dissertations.
Team work Although there is no group work independently assessed, it is hoped that in seminars students will work together as a group in order to make the best possible use of these sessions. Particularly, the seminar discussuions following the students' own presentations are intended to be for critical, but supportive, feedback. To aid group activity, the module co-ordinator also encourages students to utilise the blackboard environment, specifically the message board, to discuss issues beyond the lectures or seminars.

Reading List

Essential Reading
Stokes, Jane (2003) How to do Media and Cultural Studies Sage Primo search Recommended Consultation
ANDERSON, J and POOLE, M (1998) Assignment and Thesis Writing John Wiley Primo search BERRY, Ralph (2000) The Research Project: How to Write it Routledge Primo search DEACON, D et al (1998) Researching Communications Arnold Primo search FERRE, J P (1983) Merrill Guide to the Reserch Paper Merril Primo search JENSEN K B and JANOWSKI N (eds) (1991) A Handbook of Qualitative Methodologies for Mass Communication Research Routledge Primo search TURABIAN K (1996) A MAnual for Writers of term Papers, Theses and Dissertations Uni of Chicago Press Primo search WISKER G The Postgraduate Research Handbook Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7