Programme of Study Catalogue

Objectives:

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
Select an appropriate topic for research and possible investigation.
Review a topic for research extensively and critically and develop an appropriate search strategy to locate, access and use a range of academic resources effectively.
Construct a well-written research proposal and explain and justify the project.
Develop an effective working relationship with tutors in order to discuss the aims, scope and achievability of the research proposal and to respond to guidance and feedback.
Manage time effectively and study independently and in a self-directed manner.

Content:

This unit aims to give students an insight into the academic skills and knowledge necessary to undertake a Masters dissertation in the subject area into which they might progress. Students will undertake activities associated with planning and writing Masters level research through creating and writing a detailed proposal to conduct primary research in their subject area. These will include:

� Selecting and developing a research topic
� Searching for and critically reviewing literature
� Proposing and justifying a research methodology and associated research plan
� Anticipating potential challenges to carry out the proposed research.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The unit will be taught in a series of interactive workshops, providing a highly supportive environment through which students will develop their language and communication skills.

Formative assessments and feedback will be provided to students during workshop sessions throughout the unit on the basis of home/classroom tasks (individual and group). Formative assessments will help students to prepare for summative assessment at the end of the unit.

Workshops
Hours: 48
Intended Group size: 30

Guided independent study
Hours: 36

Further details relating to assessment
The work in this unit will be linked to the work pre-Masters students carry out in the Academic Skills 3 unit, where the assessment will involve them submitting the literature review for the research proposal.

In this unit, pre-Masters students will submit their introduction and research methodology, as well as carry out a presentation to explain, justify and promote their proposed project.

This unit and Academic Skills 3 will be co-taught by tutors from both units, supported by subject specialists.