2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
MODL5305M Research Methods and Dissertation for MAPLIS
60 creditsClass Size: 25
Module manager: Marco Santello
Email: m.santello@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
Pre-requisite qualifications
Successful completion of undergraduate degree (or equivalent) level study in the field of modern languages.Co-requisites
| MODL5012M | Skills and Issues in Intercultural Studies |
| MODL5013M | Précis and Document Drafting |
| MODL5014M | Rhetoric and Public Speaking |
This module is mutually exclusive with
| MODL5300M | Research Methods and Project for MAPLIS |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
This module aims both to equip students with a range of generic and subject-specific research skills necessary to conduct and write up their own research at taught postgraduate level, and to provide them with an opportunity to practise those skills through the production of a full-length dissertation on a topic related to intercultural studies, thus reinforcing one of the core objectives of the degree programme as a whole. The module is primarily designed to enable students to gain experience in conducting research projects of an academic nature in order to prepare them to undertake further study at doctoral level. However, students may also choose to research a topic of relevance for professional practice.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to produce a well-structured piece of extended written work that displays evidence of both coherent and sustained argument and of original research and perspective on a topic of their choice relating to intercultural studies. They should be able to demonstrate in their writing that they have considered the implications and/or relevance of their dissertation topic for the field of intercultural studies, and for professional practice if appropriate. They should furthermore be able to express themselves clearly and present their work according to standard academic conventions.
Syllabus
The syllabus for this module will typically comprise 10 seminars covering the following generic research training elements:
1. Referencing and bibliographies; academic writing and avoiding plagiarism.
2. What is an MA dissertation?; making/ structuring an argument, choosing a suitable topic.
3. Finding and evaluating resources (and how to prepare an annotated bibliography).
4. The research process: design, ethics, practicalities.
5. Using questionnaires and interviews.
6. Using statistics and generating your own.
7. Cross-cultural research methodologies.
8. Progress and trouble shooting; presentation style and standards.
Towards the end of the research skills training workshops students will be allocated a supervisor to oversee the production of the research project itself.
Students will also be expected to audit other available research methods classes, in particular those pertinent to their individual topic/discipline.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Seminar | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Tutorial | 5 | 2.00 | 10.00 |
| Private study hours | 580.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600.00 | ||
Private study
- Preparation of dissertation proposal/abstract: 30 hours- Preparation of annotated bibliography: 60 hours
- Preparation of final research project: 490 hours
= Total: 580 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Student progress will be monitored through 2 short assessments associated with the generic research training seminars (1: submission of full proposal/abstract; 2: submission of annotated bibliography), followed by discussions with individual tutors.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Research Proposal | 500 word full proposal/abstract | 5.00 |
| Essay or Dissertation | 15,000- 17,000 words | 85.00 |
| Written Work | An annotated bibliography containing 30 entries, 125 words per entry, not including bibliographic data (3,750 words) | 10.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
There is no reading list for this moduleLast updated: 01/10/2015
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD