Module ANTH3491: Research Proposal

Department: Anthropology

ANTH3491: Research Proposal

Prerequisites

• (ANTH 2031) Methods & Analysis (ANTH 2021) Biology Culture and Society or for 2014-15 only, HUSS 2101 Methods & Analysis I AND HUSS 2111 Methods & Analysis II

Corequisites

• Must be taken alongside ANTH3141 Dissertation.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None, but the topic studied in the Project Proposal (ANTH 3372) must be substantially different to the topic studied as part of the 20 credit dissertation (ANTH 3141)

Aims

• To prepare Master of Anthropology students for their Level 4 research project by identifying a topic of research and undertaking preliminary literature searches, feasibility studies, ethical assessment, costings and time-management planning.

Content

• Students will receive instruction, both as a group and individually which will enable them to:
• Write a research proposal, identifying key research questions and/or hypotheses
• Construct a substantial literature review in the research area agreed with supervisors
• Complete draft ethics and risk assessment forms
• Produce a well thought out timetable of research
• Establish their main means of data collection and develop a clear justification for the methods identified
• Establish links with individuals and/or groups and institutions that will be expected to facilitate their entry into the field

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module students will have produced a substantial literature review which will establish their mastery of:
• a chosen substantive field within the broad discipline of Anthropology
• a body of literature relating to relevant research methods

• Writing a research proposal
• Constructing a substantial literature review and feasibility study
• Managing research governance procedures including drafting appropriate ethics and risk assessment forms
• Constructing a research timetable

• Initiating independent research
• Time management and the ability to represent that graphically
• Communicating the structure, content and value of a research project both orally and in writing
• Computing skills including advanced information retrieval

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

• Lectures will provide students with:
• the basic information required to identify an appropriate field for research
• an understanding of how to organise a research proposal
• the skills required to undertake a substantial literature review
• the skills necessary for constructing a Gannt chart
• Seminars will help students
• articulate the aims and objectives of their research project both in writing and orally
• hone their presentation skills
• produce effective drafts of their literature review, Gannt chart and ethics proforma
• Individual supervision will provide the sudent with the specific help and encouragement appropriate to their research topic. The supervisor will read and comment in writing and orally on draft sections of the proposal
• The learning outcomes will be summatively assessed through the Research Proposal. After any necessary revision the Research Proposal will form the starting point of the MAnth student's Level Four research project. The discrete skills and knowledge necessary for constructing a literary review, Gannt chart and ethics proforma will also be assessed formatively by the student's supervisor.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1. Draft Literature review (1500 words) 2. Draft Gannt Chart / timeline 3. Draft Ethics proforma

■ 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