LWMTRS-Research Skills Project

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: May only be taken with the permission of the Director of PGT in Law
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Aleardo Zanghellini
Email: a.zanghellini@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
A piece of assessed written work of a specified length on a topic in an area of law relevant to the student’s programme, set by a member of staff.

Aims:
The Research Skills Project is a piece of assessed written work which builds on the research skills developed in the Research Methods module. The module allows a student to independently research and produce written work of some length on a set topic. It also allows the School to evaluate a student’s ability to develop a high level critical argument.

Assessable learning outcomes:

After completing the module, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the topic of their Research Skills Project:


• critically analyse and evaluate the topic;


• access, take advantage of, and critically use different sources of research;


• evaluate the objectivity and relevance of different sources of research;


• construct an argument that can be sustained through a piece of work of relatively significant length;


• use a recognised citation style;


• present a research project in a manner that is clear, logical and well-written;


• develop skills in terms of identifying and applying research agendas.

Additional outcomes:
In addition to those listed in the School’s ‘core skills statement’, the module aims to facilitate further development of IT skills. The module also aims to develop the ability of students to generate and manage achievable research goals.

Outline content:
Not applicable.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• Prior to the end of the Autumn Term, students will be allocated their Research Skills Project title, as well as two pieces of preliminary reading. The Research Skills Project title for each student will be set by a member of staff. It will be on an area of law directly relevant to the LLM programme of the individual student, although the question set will not be on an area of law being studied by the student elsewhere in their programme.


• Students will be allocated a project supervisor, who will meet with the student twice during the Spring Term to monitor progress and offer advice. However, the supervisor will not read drafts of the work done by the student on the project.


• The Research Skills Project must be submitted by the required date, which will be specified at the start of the new academic year. The submission date is likely to be at the start of the Easter vacation.


• The Research Skills Project is subject to the Asse ssed Work rules to be found in the current edition of the School Guide (Programme Assessment).

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision		2
Guided independent study:		98
Total hours by term		100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
One essay of no more than 9 pages formatted in accordance with the Assessed Work Rules as set out in the School Guide

Formative assessment methods:
Discussions with supervisors in meetings (however no written feedback is given and supervisors are not expected to read draft work).

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
See School of Law PGT Programme Handbook

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023