TYMRM-Research methods in typography and graphic communication

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 20 [10 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: Prof Gerry Leonidas
Email: g.leonidas@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
To provide students with the basic practical research skills needed to do research for, and write, an MA dissertation; to enable them to read published research critically; to give them an awareness of the range of research methods used in typography and graphic communication (including practice as a method), and an understanding of the underlying principles; to enable them to select and apply appropriate research methods in their own work.

Aims:
To provide students with the basic practical research skills needed to do research for, and write, an MA dissertation; to enable them to read published research critically; to give them an awareness of the range of research methods used in typography and graphic communication and an understanding of the underlying principles; to enable them to select and apply appropriate research methods in their own work.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• identify research methods appropriate to particular kinds of problem in typography and graphic communication


• search effectively for information in the area of typography and graphic communication


• read critically and review the literature on a chosen topic


• identify appropriate research questions for their dissertation, and formulate a well-argued dissertation proposal

Additional outcomes:
Students will also be encouraged to develop their skills in personal organisation and time management, and to make constructive use of feedback.

Outline content:
Students will be introduced to a range of research methods whose practical application to typography and graphic communication issues will be demonstrated through case studies. Such methods include descriptive studies, ethnographic research, diagnostic studies, surveys, and performance tests. Emphasis will also be placed on the student developing skills and techniques for using printed and electronic resources in libraries and archives, critical reading and effective note-taking, reviewing the literature, and bibliographical referencing. Issues relating to the preparation of a written dissertation proposal and the writing and presentation of the dissertation itself will also be addressed.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Practical research skills will be taught in a mixture of small-group lectures, seminars and workshops. Students will need to apply what they learn in this module to all of their assessed written work, and they will be given feedback in this way as well as through the assessed work for this module.
Research methodology will be taught mainly through lectures and seminars in which principles will be explained and discussed. Members of staff with experience of particular methods will present i llustrative case studies.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	7	5
Seminars	3		2
Tutorials		10
Practicals classes and workshops	12
Guided independent study:	98	125	38
Total hours by term	120	140	40
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One essay of 4000 words on an agreed subject relating to the topics discussed in the online seminars.

Formative assessment methods:

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:

Reassessment arrangements:

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: 30 March 2023