FBMRSD-Research Skills and Professional Development

Module Provider: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Stephanie Bull
Email: stephanie.bull@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and tools for completing your research project by exploring some approaches to conducting research and describing the research process. In addition, the module provides the opportunity to enhance your self-awareness and personal effectiveness along with developing strategies to facilitate the decision making processes that will enhance your career development.

Aims:

The module aims to provide you with an understanding of:

• The principles of scientific research


• The methodologies and techniques in qualitative and quantitative research


• Research project plans and research design


• Statistical methods for the analysis of data


• How to review the scientific literature


• Careers within the food industry and the transferrable skills required by employers

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

• Formulate and evaluate research questions in collaboration with academics


• Critically assess research findings as reported in the primary literature


• Critically assess potential research designs for a selected topic

Additional outcomes:

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

• Identify appropriate statistical methods to analyse research data


• Demonstrate information management skills


• Examine your future career options and have a greater understanding of the food industry

Outline content:

The following topics will be covered within the module; research design, qualitative and quantitative research methods, analysing research data using statistical methods, project management, literature searching and enhancing your employability.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module will consist of online learning resources, supplemented by face to face workshops and lectures.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	1	11
Tutorials		5
Practicals classes and workshops	3
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		42
Wider reading (directed)		5
Advance preparation for classes		7
Completion of formative assessment tasks		15
Essay preparation			10
Reflection		1
Total hours by term	4	86	10
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Report	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• An annotated bibliography based upon on your research project (50%)


• A written project plan related to your research project (50%)

Formative assessment methods:

• Draft project plan

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

You will be reassessed based on resubmission of failed coursework assignments

Resubmission of coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 4 September 2023