Module FOUD0431: Extended Research

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0431: Extended Research

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• one of • Academic Practice in Arts and Humanities • Academic Practice in Social Sciences • Academic Practice in Science • Academic Practice in Business

Excluded Combination of Modules

• • Extended Essay - History

Aims

• To allow students to pursue and develop subject specific interests;
• To allow students to work independently with supervision in some depth;
• To allow students to develop methods of research and analysis appropriate to their progression route.

Content

• Identify a subject area which can be focused under supervision;
• Construct an action plan;
• Keep a reflective diary for meeting with academic advisor to monitor progress against action plan and consider appropriate actions in response;
• Produce an extensive bibliography of different types of sources;
• Outline a research proposal for discussion and agreement with advisor;
• Carry out individual research of specific subject area;
• Produce final extended project.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
• Formulate an appropriate research question in relation to their chosen topic (SK1);
• Demonstrate knowledge of the particular issues associated with their research question (SK2);
• Demonstrate their knowledge of appropriate research methodology (SK3).

• By the end of the module the student will:
• Be able to select suitable and relevant source materials (SS1);
• Be able to read and critically analyse a range of sources (SS2);
• Be able to present information according to the methods relevant to their subject area (SS3);
• Be able to construct academic arguments using a range of sources (SS4);
• Apply appropriate research methodology (SS5).

• By the end of the module the student will:
• Communicate ideas in writing effectively (KS1);
• Communicate their ideas orally (KS2);
• Demonstrate a range of numeracy skills where appropriate (KS3);
• Demonstrate a capacity to compile appropriate bibliographies using a range of online search tools and web-based resources (KS4);
• Demonstrate the ability to reflect on their own learning (KS5).

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

• Students will develop their research skills through a series of meetings with their academic advisor;
• Students will attend a weekly class to acquire and develop the skills they need for researching and writing their extended assignment;
• Students will be expected to follow an action plan to ensure they adhere to a strict timetable;
• The reflective diary will be assessed formatively;
• Extended Research assignment will assess: SK1, SK2, SK3, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5, KS1, KS3, KS4.
• Reflective diary will assess KS5.
• Poster will assess: SS3, SS5, KS1, KS2.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

• Action plan • Research proposal • Annotated Bibliography • Literature Review • Reflective Diary

■ 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