Module Identifier MC30710  
Module Title RESEARCHING ONLINE  
Academic Year 2004/2005  
Co-ordinator Dr Daniel G J Chandler  
Semester Semester 1  
Pre-Requisite IL10720 , IL10920 , IL32900 , Either of the above modules or acceptable evidence of independent web competence  
Course delivery Lecture   4 Hours  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment 5,000 word report summarizing the methods of research used to identify resources on an agreed topic, and the evaluation of the status provenance, and reliability of materials so located. The report will be assessed for evidence of the student's breadth of searches, their critical estimation of sources and provenances, and the relevance of the available information thus discovered to the agreed topic.100%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
  1. UNDERTAKE EXTENSIVE AND SOPHISTICATED SEARCHES OF CATALOGUES, ON-LINE RESOURCES AND OTHER ARCHIVES TO LOCATE MATERIALS PERTINENT TO A CHOSEN TOPIC
  2. EVALUATE THE RELEVANCE, PROVENANCE ANS RELIABILTY OF MATERIALS AND SOURCES SO LOCATED
  3. WRITE A COMPREHENSIVE AND WELL-STRUCTURED REPORT OUTLINING THE RESULTS OF THESE PROCESSES.

Brief description

Students will propose a topic relevant to their degree on which they will conduct extensive searches, using standard library and bibliographic, WWW and internet searches and other methods of searching,as appropriate, to identify as wide a range of relevant materials as they are able. They will prepare a report on the methods and results of the searches which will include an evaluation of the status, provenance ans reliability of the located resources.

Aims

The aim of this module is to give students the opportunity to test and develop their skills in using the WWW, the internet and other available sources as resources for knowledge. Since it will work largely on a self-managed basis, with only limited tutorial guidance after initial approval of the topic, it will also be an opportunity for students to develop and be tested on their ability to work independently, via a self-defined project.

Reading Lists

Books
Campbell, David R (1995) The student's guide to doing research on the Internet Addison Wesley
Fielden, Ned L (1998) Internet research: theory and practice Mc Farland and Co
McGuiness, Kevin (1998) Research on the Net Old Bailey Press
O Dochartaigh, Niall (2002) The Internet reasearch handbook: A practical guide for students and researchers in the social sciences Sage

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6