2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
HIST5000M Research Methodology in History
30 creditsClass Size: 45
Module manager: Dr Cathy Coombs
Email: c.e.b.coombs@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should have acquired the requisite skills with which to construct and implement a programme of advanced independent historical research, at doctoral level or equivalent.This would include:
- Acquisition of advanced bibliographical skills, including the preparation and presentation of research bibliographies and familiarity with the use of manuscript, print catalogues and computer databases of books, articles and theses, archival materials, citation indices etc and WWW materials;
- Ability to identify, justify and comment critically on their research methodologies from both practical and theoretical points of view;
- Ability to prepare a critically informed literature review in a chosen subject area;
- Broad critical awareness of different types of written and non-written historical sources, and their potential uses and limitations;
- Knowledge of advanced critical tools for the interpretation of statistical data, written texts, and non-written sources;
- Experience of preparing a detailed proposal for an advanced research project for a topic of their choice, at doctoral or equivalent professional level;
- Experience of writing and delivering a conference-style research presentation.
Skills outcomes
Will develop the skills listed below:
- High-level skills in oral and written communication of complex ideas.
- Independence of mind and self-discipline and self-direction to work effectively under own initiative.
- Ability to locate, handle and synthesize large amounts of information.
- Ability to employ analytical, problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to engage constructively with the ideas of their peers, tutors and published sources.
- Empathy and active engagement with different cultural contexts.
Will develop the following skills to an advanced level:
- Advanced skills in the location and use of bibliographical and archival research tools;
- Presenting research findings in writing and conference-style oral presentation;
- Ability to act as an autonomous practitioner in researching in the intellectual area of their specialist expertise.
Syllabus
This module is intended to provide students with awareness and experience of the generic research skills needed for advanced research by practising, critically aware historians.
These include bibliographic search skills, writing for research papers and publications, use of written and non-written sources, statistical analysis, and historiographical and methodological awareness.
At the end of the course students will be required to present a conference-style paper and submit a detailed proposal for an advanced research project (whether for doctoral, public or media purposes).
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Workshop | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Group Project | 1 | 10.00 | 10.00 |
| Seminar | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 269.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 31.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300.00 | ||
Private study
269 hours:- Researching, preparing and writing assignments;
- undertaking set reading; and reading around the topic.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Contributions to class discussions- Assessed and/or non-assessed written exercises
- Conference presentation
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Presentation | Conference-style presentation on research project | 25.00 |
| Research Proposal | 4,000 words to be submitted by 12.00pm on Monday of teaching week 8, semester 2 | 75.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 20/04/2017
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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