This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Postgraduate Handbook 2017-2018 (archived)
Module GEOG55315: RESEARCH PRACTICE
Department: Geography
GEOG55315: RESEARCH PRACTICE
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 4 | 15 | Not available in 2017/2018 | Durham |
Tied To
- C8K107: Research Methods (Developmental Psychology)
- F8K207: Geography (Research Methods) (see Postgraduate Handbook 2007-2008 for details)
Pre-requisites
- None.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- This module aims to enable students to develop the range of practical skills used in the development, prosecution and reporting of research. It should help student to manage their time; structure their research; and gain confidence in presenting their findings in a professional and academic manner.
Content
- Team work and cooperation
- Writing styles and strategies
- Bibliographic skills; handling data
- Presentation skills, visual material and use of illustrations
- PowerPoint, Endnote, posters and manipulating images; mapping
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Students should understand the practical implications of current debates in their subject field and how this affects their own approach to research.
Subject-specific Skills
- The acquisition of practical skills to help students manage a research project. In particular to develop appreciation of the importance of: planning a research project; time management; team work and cooperation
- The acquisition of enhanced bibliographic skills
- The communication of research ideas in a conference workshop
- The development of writing styles and strategies appropriate to Masters level study (in Geography)
Key Skills
- The acquisition of presentation skills for the dissemination of research in a way that is consistent with professional practice
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- This module is presented as a series of workshops. Each workshop is focussed on the one of the four subject skills listed above and includes an introduction by the staff which is followed by the development of the theme in a mixture of task- and student-led discussions. These discussions take place within the research context of the individual students and are developed specifically to encourage the stated Key Skills (above). This training in personal and intellectual skills will enable them to choose and apply appropriate techniques for their research from those used by professional geographers.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 4 | weekly | 4 | 16 | Yes |
| Full day conference | 1 | Full day | 7 | Yes | |
| Preparation & Reading | 127 | ||||
| Total | 150 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 50% | Written report | 2500 words | 100% | Yes |
| Oral presentation | 50% | Oral presentation | 20 mins (15 plus 5 for questions) | 100% | Yes |
Formative Assessment
Individual formative report (1000 words max) reflecting on individual research practice and the process of writing
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.