Aims and Fit of Module

This module provides students with the knowledge, methodological understanding, and practical skills required to conceive, justify, and plan a substantial, independent research project at the Master's level. The primary focus is on conducting a critical literature review, formulating novel research questions, selecting and justifying appropriate methodologies, and developing a comprehensive research proposal.

Learning outcomes

A. Systematically analyse, synthesise, and critically evaluate scholarly work to acquire a comprehensive and critical understanding of the state of the art on a particular research topic.
B. Formulate novel and justified research questions or hypotheses aimed at addressing specific and significant gaps in the existing literature.
C. Select, justify, and critically evaluate appropriate research methodologies and data analysis techniques for a specific research problem.
D. Plan and schedule a research project with clear deliverables, milestones, and risk mitigation strategies.
E. Critically evaluate the legal, social, ethical, and professional frameworks relevant to their specific research domain and defend the ethical integrity of a proposed project.
F. Structure, write, and deliver formal research communications (proposals, presentations) to a professional standard, adhering to relevant codes of practice.
G. Critically and ethically employ AI tools to stimulate research ideas, critique project components, and enhance research efficiency, while demonstrating an understanding of their limitations and the imperative of human oversight.

Method of teaching and learning

In this module we wish to foster independent learning, within a framework that includes a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as regular meetings or consultations between students and their project supervisor.

Formal lectures: In order to convey the concepts and methods covered in this module, students will be expected to attend four hours of formal lectures for each of the first six weeks of the semester.

Tutorials: These are intended to support students to complete assignments.

Private study and meetings with supervisor: In a typical week students will be expected to devote 40 hours of unsupervised time to private study to work on their project proposal. This includes time for reflection and consolidation of lecture materials, for completion of the assessment tasks, and for regular meetings with their project supervisor.