ACE3093 : Special Study (2009)
| Semester 1 | 20 Credits |
| Semester 2 | 10 Credits |
| ECTS Credit Value | 15.0 |
Summary
This module requires students to undertake a significant piece of independant research based on a topic chosen by them following discussion with their project supervisor and a project devlopment process begun in ACE2011. Students will be required to report their research in the form of a dissertation and in an oral presentation of research progress.
Aims
(i) to integrate and develop applied social science skills and knowledge gained through earlier modules
(ii) to encourage students to work on their own initiative while seeking appropriate assistance from supervisors
(iii) to provide practical experience of gathering and critically evaluating data on a problem or issue relevant to the rural economy
Outline Of Syllabus
The student will undertake independent research to generate a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation. The study may make use of any disciplinary skills and data available to the student and will be supervised by a member of staff. In particular it will build upon research methods outlined in ACE2011 and will utilise the research proposal and literature review that students submit for that module. Early in Semester one students will give presentations outlining their progress and towards the end of Semester one students will submit draft versions of their dissertations. Final dissertations will be submitted during the Easter vacation.
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
By the end of the module successful students should have completed a significant piece of original research and by so doing have gained an insight into the research process. Students should also have gained a detailed knowledge of a particular subject area of their own choice in the field of countryside management, rural development or rural policy, and an appreciation of its broader significance both within and outside the countryside.
Intended Skill Outcomes
By the end of the module students should have developed the ability to work on their own initiative and developed their skills in collecting, presenting and analysing data. Students should also have further developed their independant critical thinking skills and their ability to successfully manage their time.
Teaching Rationale And Relationships
The skills associated with the completion of the Special Study have been introduced in other modules. The main purpose of this module is therefore to allow students sufficient time for the follwing activities: a review of relevant management and policy issues; a detailed review of relevant literature on the topic area of the Special Study, the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data; reflection on the results of the analysis and their broader implications for management and policy; the preparation of the oral presentation and the writing up of both draft and final dissertations.
Reading List
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Notes: Supervisors will advise on the literature relevant to individual special studies. Guidance notes on preparation of the dissertation will be issued. References relevant to research methods and dissertation writing will be found in course notes for ACE2011.
Staff
| Mr Guy Garrod |
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