Assignment Task

Module Summary (Indicative)

This module provides experience of planning, designing and executing a sustained piece of independent research. It involves: formulating a testable hypothesis or appropriate research questions; designing a suitable programme of data collection; critically evaluating and interpreting your own data in the light of current research; and summarising and reviewing in a clear and professional manner.

Aims (Definitive)

• To plan and organize independent research
• To extend and enhance laboratory/field and data handling skills

Learning Outcomes (Definitive)

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Plan, design and execute a sustained piece of independent research;
2. Formulate a testable hypothesis/research questions and design a programme of data collection aimed at testing/exploring the issues;
3. Demonstrate enhanced and improved data collection skills;
4. Critically evaluate and interpret their own data in the light of current research;
5. Summarise and critically review their own work in a clear and concise manner; and
6. Engage in full professional and academic communication with their peers

Curriculum Content (Indicative)

• Formulation of a research problem/hypothesis and the research objectives
• Construct a research design (including methodology and type of data required)
• Data acquisition, analysis and interpretation
• Submission of a written report (dissertation)

Teaching And Learning Strategy (Indicative)

• Students will be given necessary advice about their project selection, planning for research, general research design and research ethics.
• A Project Module Handbook which covers wider topics about project management, report structure and writing, and oral presentation will be made available to students at the start of the course.
• Students will work independently, although with guidance from allocated members of the Teaching Team plus other available Faculty Staff where necessary. Some research may involve liaisons with outside agencies.
• The research will involve a literature review, hypothesis forming and testing/research question development, data collection, critical analysis and interpretation of the data, and writing a final report.