HSS8001 : Thinking about Research
HSS8001 : Thinking about Research
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Jen Tarr
- Owning School: School X
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
None
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
None
Aims
The module aims to enable students to understand the basic elements of developing and designing research, within and outside academia. This includes:
• Formulating research problems and questions;
• Understanding the relationship between theory and methodology in a research project;
• Developing awareness of how ethical issues arise and are addressed in the research process;
• Understanding how research is related to policy and practice.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will involve a combination of lectures and workshops with group exercises in order to explore the contexts within which research takes place, and practice skills in the development of research design. Topics include:
• Research topics and questions;
• Theorising research;
• Fitting research methods to questions;
• Making claims from research;
• Research inside and outside academic contexts;
• Research ethics
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
Understanding of the nature and design of research;
Understanding of how to formulate a research problem and develop a research methodology to address that problem;
Understanding of how to address problems and challenges that arise in the research process;
Understanding of what makes an ethical research practice.
Intended Skill Outcomes
Ability to develop strategies for addressing research problems.
Ability to link research methodologies to research problems.
Ability to apply an understanding of the research process to research problems within one's discipline.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | lecture materials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 10 | 0:30 | 5:00 | exercises in preparation for workshops |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 80:00 | 80:00 | N/A |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will introduce students to key concepts and issues in the research process, illustrated with case study examples. Example studies will be reviewed in preparation for the workshops, in which students will work in groups to develop strategies in relation to specific issues within the research process.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 100 | 2500 word essay |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment aims to assess the student’s ability to undertake the proposed final Masters level dissertation, in terms of topic, current understanding of the topic, methodological approach and data collection methods, risks and assumptions; writing ability and critical thinking.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HSS8001's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- HSS8001's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.