Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module MUSI43630: Research Experience in Music

Department: Music

MUSI43630: Research Experience in Music

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 30 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None.
Tied to W3K707

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with an opportunity to gain experience of high level music research by working alongside a member of staff on a current project.
  • To guide students through specific research tasks and help them to understand the significance of the research activity and the skills necessary to carry it out.
  • To equip students with extended research training in the form of one-to-one supervisions suitable to enhance their research preparation for PhD study.

Content

  • Content of the module will reflect the specific project to which the student is attached. A list of possible projects, with outline information about tasks to be carried out and skills development opportunities, will be published at the start of the academic year and students will be assigned according to their interests and with the agreement of the relevant member of staff.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Acquire an advanced, in-depth knowledge of current research in a relevant topic.
  • Carry out rigorous academic work reflecting advanced knowledge on a specific topic.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Identify and review relevant literature and/or other sources.
  • Develop other advanced research skills relevant to the project, including techniques in data collection, review, qualitative and/or quantitative analysis.
Key Skills:
  • Manage time effectively in the context of supervised research
  • Exercise self-discipline, responsibility and autonomy in contributing to a research project.
  • Communicate ideas and findings effectively in writing and in conversation with an expert.

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

  • The Research Experience module will involve 5 one-to-one supervision sessions. Please note that these will not be centrally timetabled, and will be organised directly between the student and their supervisor as schedules permit.
  • The supervisor will introduce the project and set tasks including (indicative list) background reading, data gathering, database and bibliographic searching, preparation of catalogues, annotated bibliography and/or literature review, drafting ethical clearance documentation, transcription and summary of sources, interviewing, qualitative or quantitative analysis.
  • A summative report will be submitted, summarising the research training received, methods applied, and work carried, with completed work (e.g. bibliographies, catalogues, interview transcripts) attached as appendices.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
One-to-one supervisions 5 Flexible as required 1 hour 5
Presentation and discussion of project 2 1 hour 2
Project-related work 293
TOTAL 300

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Summative Report to include details of research training received, methods applied, and work carried out, with examples of completed work 5,000 words or equivalent 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

Interim reports to be submitted to the supervisor as directed. Research dissemination activity (format to be agreed with supervisor: could include blog, social media posts etc)


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