HSS8001 : Thinking about Research
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ana Lopes
- Co-Module Leader: 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 | |
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
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.
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HSS8001's Timetable