GVMSILR: Skills for Independent Learning and Research

Module code: GVMSILR

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

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Elizabeth Shaw, email: e.j.shaw@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: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to make students aware of the academic standards and integrity expected at postgraduate level and to provide training in, and reflection on, skills and intellectual abilities required for independence in learning in taught modules. The module also aims to encourage reflection on the concept of research, research conduct and research communication to prepare students for the MSc research project and for transfer of skills and knowledge to future career pathways. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Make appropriate use of databases and referencing tools to source and manage literature relevant to a given subject and demonstrate good academic practice in use, citation and referencing of source material
2. Evaluate ‘research’ as a concept with a diversity of definitions, approaches and outcomes
3. Constructively criticise the research of others and discuss the components of responsible research conduct and integrity
4. Evaluate major issues, concepts and opinions at the forefront of subject area for articulation of future research needs and rationalise and differentiate techniques and formats for research communication to a range of different audiences

Module content

In Semester 1, there will be seminars covering the following topics:

• Introduction to postgraduate study
• Information retrieval for research, using the library, referencing and reference management
• Surface, deep and strategic approaches to learning
• Creative thinking, argument construction and problem-solving
• Writing and critiquing journal articles

In Semester 2, the module will look forward to, and interface with, the Research Project module (GVMRP).  There will be a seminar on ‘writing a literature review’ to prepare the students for the literature review that they will write on the topic of their research project and this will be linked to the production of a literature review plan for formative assessment.

There will also be seminars/workshops delivered by guest speakers on:

• Communicating research
• Research impact
• Research conduct, integrity and management

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The seminar sessions are interspersed throughout the Autumn and Spring semesters.  Students will also carry out individual coursework and have individual discussions with academic tutor and dissertation supervisor.

Study hours

At least 20 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 50% 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.

Feedback on Literature Review Plan

Reassessment

Additional costs