Module GEOG4103: COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT

Department: Geography

GEOG4103: COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECT

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• GEOG4083 Research Project

Aims

• To enable students to design and undertake a collaborative research project with a partner
• To enable students to apply and develop the skills and methods acquired in the core and option modules to a topic of relevance to and defined in consultation with a partner and a supervisor
• To acquire an advanced knowledge and understanding of a specialist sub-field of human geography and its relationship to the chosen project topic

Content

• The collaborative research project enables students to undertake a significant research project in collaboration with a partner leading to both a social science research paper and a partner-oriented report. The nature of the partner and the collaboration will vary but could include: a policy-focused project in collaboration with a private, public or third sector partner; knowledge co-production in partnership with a local community organisation (including trans-local networks); or action research with a group around a particular problem, issue or controversy
• The topic will be approved by the module convenor in consultation with the supervisor and the partner. Detailed guidelines on format and procedures will be provided in the degree programme handbook

Learning Outcomes

• Students will have an in-depth understanding of a single topic in Human Geography, in relation to the problem, issue or need identified with the partner and their own engagement with the literature and their supervisor
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of a specialised area, including, where appropriate, theory and method
• Advanced understanding of data analysis and dissemination in the area of Human Geography in which they conduct their research and with particular reference to the issues and problems of Collaborative Geographical Research

• Students will be able to develop the framing of a piece of research developed with their partner, to settle on a final framing and then to identify and to develop their necessary capacity to conduct research with their partner
• Students will be able to demonstrate that they can research and report a piece of focused research that is relevant to a partner
• Through the production of a social science research paper, the student will demonstrate the methodological and/or theoretical skills necessary to undertake advanced Human Geography research into a particular problem, issue or need
• Students will also demonstrate an ability to synthesise research framing and findings through an oral presentation

• Ability to deliberate, to discuss, to negotiate and to decide on research directions, through contact with their partner and supervisor
• Ability to write an advanced level partner-oriented report of a substantial nature
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, explaining why the chosen topic of collaborative research is important, critiquing previous research, and providing a coherent discussion of findings
• Independent management of a collaborative research project (including working with the needs and expectations of a supervisor and a partner) from the formulation of research questions, to the collection and analysis of data, to the presentation of a research paper and a partner-oriented report
• Advanced quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis as appropriate to the topic area
• Exercise of initiative and skill in written and oral communication

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students will be principally responsible for identifying a possible partner. Supervisors and/or the module convenor may provide initial contacts depending on the research topic and existing contacts
• Students will be responsible for meeting any costs associated with the collaborative research project (such as travel costs, accommodation, etc)
• An initial face-to-face or electronic (video-conference preferably; possibly teleconference) meeting between the student, the partner and the supervisor may be used to develop the research focus depending on the type of research. Depending on the nature of the collaborative project, further meetings between student, partner and the supervisor may take place
• The student will then be responsible for developing the proposal for their research, to be agreed by both the partner and the supervisor. This may include a statement from the partner of the resources to be made available to the student, including research tools, contact and, in some cases, desk space. Depending on the nature of the partner and the collaboration, a written agreement may be produced by the partner and student before the research begins
• Supervision will be provided by an academic through a system of group and individual meetings with students in linked project areas
• Additional guidance may be provided by the partner depending on the nature of the research
• The student will produce a project proposal, and will additionally get feedback on the output and the draft research paper. The timing and content of this work will be specified in the module guide and feedback built into the schedule of meetings
• Assessment is by means of a partner-oriented report that critically engages with the knowledge produced through the process of collaboration. The report will show evidence and understanding of a critical and constructive engagement with the partner. Templates for the above outputs will be provided to students on the module and advice will be given about best practice
• Assessment will also be through a 5, 000 word research paper that will supplement the above output. Students will be advised on the format of their paper, being given examples of good practice
• The module and assessment will conclude with a 15 minute oral presentation of the research findings in a conference format towards the end of term 3 (and after submission of report and research paper)

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1000 word Research project proposal and feedback on a draft of research paper and draft of output

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University