IDM071-Research and study skills for independent learning
Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Admission onto module by GIIDAE
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2018/9
Email: n.o.bardsley@reading.ac.uk
Type of module:
Summary module description:
Through lectures, tutorials and coursework, students are made aware of the standards expected and are given opportunity to develop the skills required to study and research at postgraduate level.
Aims:
The aim of the module is to help students develop skills needed to produce good dissertations and coursework at postgraduate level.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- demonstrate good academic practice in use, citation and referencing of source material
- explain the meaning of "plagiarism" both as poor academic practice and as a disciplinary issue within higher education, and implement strategies to avoid it
- use appropriate bibliographic sources and tools to identify literature relevant to a given topic
- synthesise, compare and contrast the main lines of argument relating to specific assignments and their chosen dissertation topic
- communicate their research clearly in writing and orally to academic staff and their peers.
Additional outcomes:
- make effective use of academic and other support services for students at the University of Reading
- engage in critical discussion of other peoples ideas and presentations.
Outline content:
- lectures and discussion on:
- some key research methods and related resources
- searching, referencing, using the literature; strategies to avoid plagiarism
- approaches to writing a dissertation
- presenting your research to others
- oral presentations by students to staff and peers
- individual and/or group discussions with dissertation supervisor and programme director
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, group discussions, oral presentations, individual (desk) research, discussions with dissertation supervisor
Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Lectures | 18 | ||
Guided independent study | 22 | 60 | |
Total hours by term | 40.00 | 60.00 | |
Total hours for module | 100.00 |
Method | Percentage |
Written assignment including essay | 70 |
Oral assessment and presentation | 30 |
Summative assessment- Examinations:
Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
1. A seminar presentation based on the students dissertation research, to be delivered to a group of peers and academic staff in the Spring Term (30%).
2. A research briefing relevant to their dissertation topic, covering relevant literature and ideas for research, of up to 3000 words, and assessed by the dissertation supervisor, to be submitted on the Friday of the first week of the Summer Term (70%)
Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Formative assessment methods:
A formative assignment will be given early in Term 1 to provide an opportunity for students to develop their understanding of writing and performance requirements before they submit their first course essay assignments for other modules at the end of the Term 1. This will be due by the third week of term and will be returned by the fifth week to ensure students receive feedback on performance. The assignment is compulsory (no credits will be earned without its completion) but failure to submit will result in a 20% reduction of the course mark.
Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx
Assessment requirements for a pass:
A mark of 50%.
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-submission of coursework.
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: 20 April 2018
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.