Module Information
Module Identifier
TPM0860
Module Title
Research Project
Academic Year
2023/2024
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 3 (Dissertation)
Reading List
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Practice-based research: Production (approx. 45 minutes) 70 % and 5,000 word Written Reflection 30% OR Written Dissertation (15,000 words) 100% | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Practice-based research: Production (approx. 45 minutes) 70 % and 5,000 word Written Reflection 30% OR Written Dissertation (15,000 words) 100% | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. demonstrate successful project design and application in the field of practice-based research
2. demonstrate mastery of the strategies and operational procedures involved in formulating, planning, managing and realizing a research investigation through practical work leading to a substantial output
3. demonstrate advanced skills - in a range of conceptual and representational practices and procedures - to achieve well-defined and conceptualized creative outcomes in addressing political and/or aesthetic issues
4. critically evaluate these outcomes in relation to contemporary knowledge, practice and research traditions in the appropriate scholarly fields
Written dissertation
5. demonstrate the ability to formulate an answerable research question and design and implement securely grounded research procedures
6. demonstrate the ability to analyse the results of such procedures and a sophisticated awareness of their strengths and limitations
7. relate such research to contemporary thinking and knowledge in the appropriate scholarly fields
8. manage a richly critical attitude towards such thinking and knowledge and ground evaluations in an understanding of different research traditions in the identified fields
Brief description
The module enables students to complete their MA through a sustained and detailed research enquiry into specific aspects relating to the theory and practice of theatre, performance or scenography. Students can either develop a work of practice-based research in the form of a substantial creative output, with supporting critical reflection and evaluation, or submit a written dissertation on a research topic of their choice.
Regarding the practice-based research project, students are invited to identify and pursue research questions that are addressed through their practical work. Students will create a performance project of professional standard that also provides an opportunity for a rigorous critical examination of the processes of theatre, performance or scenographic practice and its theoretical implications.
The practice-based research project can be submitted either as an individually conceived and developed or as a collaboratively conceived and developed performance work. Where the submitted work involves joint collaboration, each student has to identify their contribution to the work (which will be confirmed by a statement signed by each collaborator), provided that it is possible to apply to the work the same criteria used in judging independent work. The length of the performance will be negotiated as part of the proposal process. The student will have to provide sufficient evidence for the examiners to make judgements against the criteria of assessment. This may require the submission of carefully selected and presented supplementary material.
Regarding the written dissertation, students are invited to identify and pursue research questions that are addressed through independently undertaken scholarly research. Students will create a piece of well-designed and well-conducted research into a carefully-formulated topic. Where the submitted work involves joint collaboration, each student has to identify their contribution to the work (which will be confirmed by a statement signed by each collaborator), provided that it is possible to apply to the work the same criteria used in judging independent work.
The submission type, topic and methodology for the research will be identified with the help of a research proposal, to be submitted during the second semester. Research projects will be approved by the module coordinator in consultation with the staff team and subject to the availability of suitable resources and advisors with expertise in the chosen topic. Students will work with the support of a supervisor, who will be assigned following the submission of the proposal.
Students who choose to submit a practice-based research project will be given the opportunity to present the work in a public performance platform.
Regarding the practice-based research project, students are invited to identify and pursue research questions that are addressed through their practical work. Students will create a performance project of professional standard that also provides an opportunity for a rigorous critical examination of the processes of theatre, performance or scenographic practice and its theoretical implications.
The practice-based research project can be submitted either as an individually conceived and developed or as a collaboratively conceived and developed performance work. Where the submitted work involves joint collaboration, each student has to identify their contribution to the work (which will be confirmed by a statement signed by each collaborator), provided that it is possible to apply to the work the same criteria used in judging independent work. The length of the performance will be negotiated as part of the proposal process. The student will have to provide sufficient evidence for the examiners to make judgements against the criteria of assessment. This may require the submission of carefully selected and presented supplementary material.
Regarding the written dissertation, students are invited to identify and pursue research questions that are addressed through independently undertaken scholarly research. Students will create a piece of well-designed and well-conducted research into a carefully-formulated topic. Where the submitted work involves joint collaboration, each student has to identify their contribution to the work (which will be confirmed by a statement signed by each collaborator), provided that it is possible to apply to the work the same criteria used in judging independent work.
The submission type, topic and methodology for the research will be identified with the help of a research proposal, to be submitted during the second semester. Research projects will be approved by the module coordinator in consultation with the staff team and subject to the availability of suitable resources and advisors with expertise in the chosen topic. Students will work with the support of a supervisor, who will be assigned following the submission of the proposal.
Students who choose to submit a practice-based research project will be given the opportunity to present the work in a public performance platform.
Content
Students will be asked to begin thinking about their research topic (and its associated question and methods) in semester 1 and 2. The module will also offer weekly 2 hour informal 'assemblies' in Semester 1 and an additional 4 x 1 hour group seminars in Semester 2 which will help students develop and plan their practice-based projects.
During the second semester they will be required to produce a research proposal (formative assessment). The proposal will inform the allocation of an appropriate supervisor, based on expertise related to the proposed topic and methods.
Students will be supported by six 1-hour supervision tutorials as they undertake their independent research.
Seminar content:
Seminar 1: Planning and executing your practice-based research project
Seminar 2: Planning the technical aspects of your practice-based research project
Seminar 3: Documenting your practice-based research project
Seminar 4: Reflecting on your practice-based research project
During the second semester they will be required to produce a research proposal (formative assessment). The proposal will inform the allocation of an appropriate supervisor, based on expertise related to the proposed topic and methods.
Students will be supported by six 1-hour supervision tutorials as they undertake their independent research.
Seminar content:
Seminar 1: Planning and executing your practice-based research project
Seminar 2: Planning the technical aspects of your practice-based research project
Seminar 3: Documenting your practice-based research project
Seminar 4: Reflecting on your practice-based research project
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/a |
| Communication | Students will be expected to discuss their dissertation and its progress in the group and with their supervisor (in tutorial sessions). They will practice, through the proposal, how to write in a clear and effective way. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | In tutorials, students will be expected to critically reflect on their own readings and preparatory research, and on how their dissertation plans are progressing. In addition, students will be expected to develop their motivation, organization and time-management skills, by planning their work on the dissertation through the dissertation proposal and drafting chapters, whilst keeping in regular contact with their supervisors. Students engaged in practice-based research will develop relevant skills in devising, making and performing as appropriate to their projects. |
| Information Technology | Students will be encouraged to use the web and the numerous e-learning resources in the library in order to search for and locate journal articles and other primary materials that have relevance to their research projects. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Students will be encouraged to develop their research, writing, learning and organizational skills. These attributes will feed into their development as effective researchers, which will be particularly suited for an academic career or a career within the field of the performing or media arts. |
| Problem solving | This element is developed through students considering methodologies appropriate for their dissertation topic. They will learn about practical issues and demands associated with employing such methods through the seminars. By problematizing the perception of what constitutes good and effective research, the students will have to think differently about their research projects and the questions and issues they will need to tackle in order to plan and carry out their research. |
| Research skills | This element is developed through students identifying, guided through seminars, the most appropriate research methods and procedures to employ in order to answer their research questions and then applying these in a clear and effective way throughout their research projects. These skills are also developed through research of relevant literature and identifying the key literature that will inform and academically ground their work. |
| Subject Specific Skills | SSee QAA Dance, Drama and Performance Subject Benchmark Statement (Version 2007). |
| Team work | Students will test their research projects on their peers, who will comment, thus enriching the learning process through a set of team-related and common practices. Students will be expected to work with their supervisor, to arrange tutorials and plan their dissertation work, to share and negotiate ideas and opinions on methods and relevant readings, and to reflect on and share ideas about their developing dissertation plans. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7