Research and Project Planning

Module Identifier: ENM3020
Module Title: Research and Project Planning
Academic Year: 2027/2028
Semester: Semester 2
Co-ordinator: Professor Matthew Jarvis
Reading List: View on Aspire
Other Staff: Dr Martina Saric; Dr Lucy Thompson

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Portfolio: (A two-part portfolio of coursework (c. 3000 words) comprising a detailed proposal (2000 words) for a literary studies dissertation OR a research-based writing project and an annotated bibliography (1000 words excluding bibliographic entries themselves)	60%
Semester Assessment	Presentation: (15 minutes, plus 5 minutes Q&A)	40%
Supplementary Assessment	Portfolio: (A two-part portfolio of coursework (c. 3000 words) comprising a detailed proposal (2000 words) for a literary studies dissertation OR a research-based writing project and an annotated bibliography (1000 words excluding bibliographic entries themselves)	60%
Supplementary Assessment	Presentation: (15 minutes, plus 5 minutes Q&A)	40%

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Conceive of, plan, and critically contextualise an original piece of research or creative writing.
2. Produce a detailed, annotated bibliography that demonstrates critical assessment of key research texts for each student’s project.
3. Conceive of, plan, and deliver a professional conference-style oral presentation on their project, as well as respond verbally to questions about the presentation.
4. Present critical and/or creative work to a professional academic standard.

Brief description

This 10-week module introduces MA students to the skills they will need to:

formulate a project that is suitable for their subsequent MA Dissertation or Writing Portfolio;

create a robust and detailed project proposal;

produce a secure and realistic research timetable;

articulate the contribution to knowledge/artistic practice that their project will offer;

create an annotated bibliography of key research texts for their project;

present an aspect of their project in a professional conference-style format.

Content

Teaching on this module consists of four two-hour group sessions, combining lecture and seminar formats, as well as four intensive one-to-one supervision meetings, one week of independent directed study, and one week of individual practice presentations:
Week 1
Introduction; creating & writing a project proposal; planning your research timeline
Week 2
Independent directed study: defining your project area, writing your initial ideas
Week 3
Individual Supervision 1 (30 minutes) – pitching your proposed project, followed by formative verbal feedback; advice on the required sections of your project proposal
Week 4
Individual Supervision 2 (30 minutes) – formative written and verbal feedback on your project synopsis and research questions / and creative practice questions
Week 5
Individual Supervision 3 (30 minutes) – formative written and verbal feedback on the structural breakdown of your project, your contribution to knowledge/unique selling point, and your project timetable
Week 6
Digital resources and electronic media (led by subject librarian); producing annotated bibliographies
Week 7
Individual Supervision 4 (30 minutes): formative written and verbal feedback on your annotated bibliography
Week 8
Conference presentations: best practice in presentation and handling questions; initial planning
Week 9
Individual Presentation Practice (30 minutes): formative verbal feedback on your practice oral presentation
Week 10
Assessment advice; Q&A

Module skills

Skills type	Skills details
Application of Number	N/A
Communication	Written and oral communication in assessed work; oral communication in supervision sessions and seminars.
Improving own Learning and Performance	Developing written and oral skills in response to substantial formative feedback in individual supervision sessions.
Information Technology	Undertaking research for project planning; preparation of annotated bibliography.
Personal Development and Career planning	Through critical self-reflection; transferrable communication and research skills.
Problem solving	Identifying an appropriate research/writing topic; designing a detailed research/writing plan and timetable to support this.
Research skills	Undertaking research for individual supervision sessions; preparation of annotated bibliography.
Subject Specific Skills	Ability to construct a project plan appropriate to a literary studies MA dissertation or a creative writing MA project; ability to assess relevant critical and creative sources.
Team work	Participation and collaboration in seminars.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7