HIS5762 - Making History: Research Skills and Independent Study

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
produce an outline for an historical research project, including hypothesis/key question, sub-questions, basic methodology, and a bibliography of relevant sources.
assess critically primary and secondary sources relevant to an historical research project.
demonstrate the ability to work independently and professionally as an historical researcher, and to reflect effectively and critically on their personal development of such research skills.

Content:

This module will develop the skills required to plan and begin an independent research project within a supportive learning environment, and reinforce research skills developed in other modules such as Research and Discovery and Problems in History. The first section will cover the basic skills required to prepare a research proposal and project, and will support the production of (for example): a basic outline for a research project; a brief annotated bibliography; a critical review of one of the secondary sources; and a critical review of one of the primary sources on the bibliography. This will be undertaken in an area of research which with the module tutor is familiar.

In the second section, students will focus on developing a research proposal for their dissertation or research report at Level 6. Their proposals will include a short reflective report on their development of research and independent learning skills across the level and throughout the year.

Learning and Teaching Information:

IIn the first sessions, the development of rersearch project skills will be supported through weekly 2 hour workshops, allowing the students time to work independently. The workshops will focus on briefing students on how to prepare eg outlines for research projects, and will also allow students to present work-in-progress to their tutor and peers. In the second section, students will attend two 2 hour workshops, and four individual tutorials (15 minutes each) with their projected supervisor, with the aim of developing their own research proposals for their L6 dissertation/research report. The low level of contact hours is to allow personalised guidance at this point for each student.

Workshops
Contact hours: 14
Intended Group size: 17

Tutorials
Contact hours: 1
Intended group size: 1

Guided independent study
Hours: 185

Further details relating to assessment
The portfolio will include the hypothesis, sub-questions and basic methodology for a research project, and reviews of one primary and one secondary source relevant to this project. The research proposal will include the hypothesis, sub-questions and basic methodology for the research project which the student intends to undertake at Level 6 in History Dissertation or History Research Report, as well as annotated bibliographies of primary and secondary sources, and a short reflective report on the development of research and independent learning skills in the course of the module.

Other relevant matters
Students will need to gain an overall module mark of >50% in this module to be eligible to take the Level 6 History Dissertation – < 49% they will be required to register instead for the Research Report.

Assessment: