GV3RSP: Research Skills and Project Management

Module code: GV3RSP

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Steve Robinson, email: j.s.robinson@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module will teach the NUIST students how to conduct a successful research project at undergraduate level. It will run in parallel with, and supplement, the Dissertation module. The content will enable students to identify and articulate research questions and to design an experimental plan to answer those questions. A significant proportion of the module will be dedicated to scientific writing skills.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Produce a research project (Dissertation) proposal, comprising questions, hypotheses where appropriate, and expected outcomes and impact and write clearly and concisely, using a simple, direct and unambiguous style whilst avoiding plagiarism.
2. Justify the methodological approach to address different types of scientific questions and evaluate research work for ethical, health and safety implications.  
3. Understand and communicate the background and design of a research project in a strong scientific context and demonstrate an ability to analyse the scientific literature and communicate ideas and understanding with peers and members of academic staff.
4. Set realistic timetables for research work and monitor personal progress towards achieving goals.

Module content

• How to identify, develop and communicate a scientific idea.
• Searching for information: databases and data sources.
• Quantitative or qualitative research, or both? How to decide.
• Examples of quantitative and qualitative research methodology and data analysis.
• English language for effectively and appropriately reporting the scientific ideas of others and avoiding plagiarism.
• Scientific writing style in a research article: building and executing a model.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Classroom lectures will describe and explain the various skills in developing and executing a research project and its output. A series of strategically timed seminars will provide numerous examples of quantitative and qualitative research projects and associated methodologies and analytical tools. The seminars will also allow students to practice their scientific writing skills and other modes of disseminating project findings.

Study hours

At least 60 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students have the opportunity to anonymously peer-review draft coursework in order to improve their scientific writing skills.

Reassessment

Additional costs