Agricultural Research Project

Module Identifier: BR32620
Module Title: Agricultural Research Project
Academic Year: 2027/2028
Semester: Semester 2 Taught over 2 semesters
Co-ordinator: Mr Anthony O'Regan
Reading List: View on Aspire
Pre-Requisite: BG27520 or BR27520
Exclusive (Any Acad Year): BG36440 or BR36440 or BG36440 or BR36440
Other Staff: Dr Ruth Wonfor; Dr Ifat Shah

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Oral assessment: Students will undertake a 30-min presentation, followed by 15 minutes of viva-type assessment on their completed Research Project.	70%
Semester Assessment	Written report: 1500 Words	30%
Supplementary Assessment	Oral assessment: Students will undertake a 30-min presentation, followed by a 15 minute viva-type assessment on their completed Critical Review.	70%
Supplementary Assessment	Written report: 1500 Words	30%

Learning Outcomes

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

Assess and evaluate information from a range of sources.
Identify and apply appropriate techniques of study design and data analyses.
Draw out conclusions and discuss these in relation to existing knowledge.
Highlight unanswered questions and areas of controversy in their research area and formulate suggestions for future research.
Use appropriate writing and IT skills to present the context, research questions and conclusions in written report.
Identify and present key themes of the research project in the form of an oral presentation.

Brief description

The module provides students with the opportunity to undertake research on a topic that is relevant to their degree or their interests. Projects may be based on laboratory or fieldwork exercises, computer analysis of secondary data sources and or analysis of data obtained from published literature. All projects, regardless of their mode, will require students to work independently under the guidance of a supervisor, to perform a review of literature, conduct investigative work and data analysis, develop suitable conclusions and recommendations, and present this in the form of a presentation and an extension publication document.

Content

There will be a broad variation in the emphasis of the research project. All projects are governed by the same regulations and must aim to achieve the same learning objectives. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor (approximately once every two weeks during the semesters) to discuss progress.
An introductory lecture in the 1st semester will provide guidance on how to approach the research project followed by the opportunity for students to ask questions with the module coordinator. Subsequent lectures will provide further information and optional drop-in Q&A sessions will be held to provide advice on specific aspects of the preparation project.

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Application of Number	Students will interpret data analyses. Some mathematical treatment of the data in the literature may be present.
Communication	Students undertaking the project will develop effective listening skills during supervisory meetings – this will be assessed through the interpretation of these in the final work. Written literacy will also be developed through production of the research extension report.
Improving own Learning and Performance	This module will help students develop and apply realistic learning and self-management strategies. Students will be encouraged to devise personal action plans to review and monitor progress.
Information Technology	Literature searches, analysis of data, presentation of data, and preparation of the final report will require the use of IT. Some students may do some statistical manipulation of the data using statistical software packages.
Personal Development and Career planning	Will develop transferable skills in the evaluation and application of research findings.
Problem solving	Students will be encouraged to critically evaluate primary literature and apply creative thinking to identify gaps in research.
Research skills	The module requires students to understand and evaluate a range of research methods and produce a report.
Subject Specific Skills	Subject-specific skills developed will depend on the nature of the topic chosen.
Team work	Not a specific element of this module.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6