Module Identifier TFM6730  
Module Title RESEARCH METHODS  
Academic Year 2006/2007  
Co-ordinator Dr Glen Creeber  
Semester Semester 1  
Mutually Exclusive TFM0830  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
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:



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

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.  
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.  
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.  
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.  

Reading Lists

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

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7