Module Catalogue 2026/27

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The module engages the students in a variety of the research-based teaching and learning activities in the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology. The primary aim of the module is to help students develop a viable dissertation topic, and to do this within the context of teaching and learning about wider practices in social research. Students will attend GPS Research Seminars, usually involving a combination of internal and external speakers, and will also have the opportunity of identifying online research events beyond the University to attend.

The module aims to:

-enable students to place their ideas within wider debates and literatures of the social sciences.
-enable collaborative learning opportunities.
-develop student awareness of the wider practice of social research, including the choice of research methodologies and techniques, the use of academic research in wider academic contexts, and the dissemination of research findings.
-expand student knowledge of knowledge cultures and environments beyond the academy, including the private, public, and voluntary sectors, and to develop awareness of research dissemination issues.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module has three interlinked components:

1. Participation in GPS Research Seminar Series and/or externally hosted seminars.

2. Workshops with Module Leader(s) to discuss research, assessments, and dissertation ideas with a view to preparing a research proposal.

3. Ad hoc sessions provided by research active staff to support development of key employability skills, such as presentation, professional writing skills.

Overall the module aims to support students to become involved in the wider research culture and research environment at Newcastle University's School of Geography, Politics and Sociology; and they will have the opportunity to build and expand their knowledge networks. This will in turn help develop students' research skills and interests, while introducing them to the diversity that research and research communication can take.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

•       A critical understanding of the process of research planning and presentation in social research.
•       A critical awareness of the range of possible approaches towards the solution of research problems.
•       A critical engagement with leading-edge debates in contemporary social science research.
•       A critical awareness of the application of contemporary social research findings within both academic and non-academic contexts.
•       An advanced understanding of the ethical and political dimensions of sociological research

Intended Skill Outcomes

•       The ability to engage with research practice and findings at a high level.
•       The development of analytical skills to assess and review social research.
•       The development of advanced communication skills.
•       The capacity for critical self-reflection and review of individual practice.
•       The capacity for critical analysis of the wider use of research findings, within and beyond the academy.
•       An advanced understanding of the principles of research design and the capacity to generate a clearly defined research proposal.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This module will facilitate students’ thinking about their own research interests and choices, leading towards the development of a dissertation proposal.

Research seminars will help students structure their thinking around research projects such as the dissertation in terms of identifying a suitable topic or theme for research, identifying relevant literatures and conceptual approaches, identifying suitable methodologies and data, and identifying suitable analytic frameworks for data analysis. Drop-in sessions will operate like supervision sessions and help students think through the refinement of their dissertation project ideas and assessment preparation process.

Proposal workshops will further support students' own development of their ideas and research plans, building on what they have experienced in seminars and allowing further reflection. These sessions will support students to learn how to formulate clear research questions, reflect on methodological choices and the ethical implications of research, and develop a written dissertation proposal.

Skills based workshops will develop the explicit link between academic skills necessary for MA study and skills applicable to employment, including writing and presentation skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students will be assessed through two linked components:

1. One 10 minute presentation, will ask students to reflect on learning from their engagement with the research seminars attended, and to provide detail as to how this has helped inform their own project ideas. The recorded PowerPoint presentation will assess comprehension of the research planning process and practice, and oral communication and presentation skills.

2. One 2000 word dissertation proposal will assess students ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a key research area of focus. This includes formulating research questions, developing a conceptual and/or theoretical framework, outlining a literature review, and presenting a well-reasoned methodological argument alongside relevant ethical considerations for a specific substantive topic.

General Notes

N/A