Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

Completion of all taught modules in the PG Cert/PG Diploma/MA in Heritage Management and Tourism.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The aim of the module is to provide an opportunity for a sustained piece of research around an original research project, which relates to issues and ideas raised as students work through the other modules (listed in the pre-requisites) that can be used to build up credits, according to the Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS), towards a Master of Arts qualification in Heritage Management and Tourism.

Outline Of Syllabus

Each student will identify a research project of interest to himself/herself and will discuss this with an appointed Dissertation Supervisor until they have reached agreement on an approrpiate topic with realistic parameters. Students are required to complete ten online e-learning sessions on: 1) finding an appropriate research topic and preparing a research proposal; 2) undertaking a literature review; 3) setting a research question and research aims and objectives; 4) the selection of appropriate research methods; 5) understanding qualitative research; 6) understanding quantitative research methods; 7) structuring a research dissertation; 8) research project planning; and, 9) academic and dissertation writing. In the 10th session, the student will be required to prepare and submit the research proposal. In addition, each student will have up to six online meetings with his/her allocated supervisor using appropriate and negotiated platforms.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of this module a typical student will have:

Gained an in-depth understanding of the nature of tourism, heritage, museum and/or art gallery research;

Developed a critical awareness of the research methodologies pertinent to research projects in the tourism, heritage, museum and art gallery environment;

Developed the intellectual capacity and ability to undertake a literature review; and,

Developed an ability to use an intellectual framework to develop a line of argument.

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of this module a typical student will have:

Developed the skills to frame a research project, with a research question, and research aims and objectives;

Gained the skills necessary to choose and use appropriate research methods and approaches;

Gained the ability to develop and use analytical skills; and,

Developed appropriate writing and presentational skills.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module will have 2 introductory Units, with 5 learning sessions in each (10 sessions in total). Each session will average out at three hours of expected work and should be able to be completed in one sitting on a single day. As the module will be delivered through an e-learning platform, students will learn through guided independent study. After this students will be expected to take up to 25 weeks to undertake the research project literature reviews, site and study visits and data collection, analysis and writing up of the dissertation.

The module will include:-
• Reflective Learning Activities - based on online resources and activities to introduce the students to the approaches necessary to undertake a research dissertation. These activities will deliver the introductory material needed to meet the module aims and content and to facilitate the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills so that students can achieve the learning outcomes of the module. After completing the two introductory online Units, students will prepare and submit a research project proposal that will become the basis for their research projects. (These will be discussed with other students and with the dissertation Supervisor, as in the next two points).
• Scheduled Online Discussions - based on these online discussions, students will be able to discuss their developing research project proposals. The first online discussion will take place at the end of Unit 1 of the Reflective Learning Activities and the second online discussion will take place at the end of Unit 2. The remaining six online discussions will be evenly placed during the remainder of the 25 week period.
• Dissertation Related Supervision - based on up to six online meetings with the appointed Dissertation Supervisor using appropriate online communication platforms. The students will be required to manage the timing of these meetings according to their individual needs.
• Project Work - based on the students undertaking self-directed, but supervised, literature reviews, site and study visits and data collection in order to obtain the information and evidence needed for them to meet their self-set research aims and objectives and answer their research questions.
• Assessment Preparation and Completion - based on students analysing the data collected from the project Work above and writing up a structured dissertation in order to meet their research aims and objectives and answer the research questions that they set themselves.

All the teaching methods will require a high level of self-motivation, discipline, critical engagement and time management.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Masters Degree dissertation must be an original piece of work and not simply a synthesis of existing knowledge. It requires the gathering and analysis of new material, the development of original arguments and the presentation of conclusions and recommendations. To be successful the dissertation will need careful planning and preparation.

General Notes

N/A