Course unit details:
Research Project 1
| Unit code | BIOL66121 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 30 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The initial part of Research project 1 is a supervised literature review on an important current research topic in the field. The second part of the unit will involve students formulating a research proposal that arises from their literature studies.
Aims
The aims of RP1 are to train students in strategies ..
- to identify relevant literature and data sources.
- of critical resource analysis and information filing.
- to identify important questions, formulate respective hypotheses and design experiments to address them.
- to plan and organise written reports.
- to plan and generate appropriate illustrations and their legends.
- of appropriate scientific referencing.
- of effective communication with other researchers (here your supervisor).
- of effective time management.
Learning outcomes
Students should be able to ..
- identify and isolate relevant aspects of research problems which, depending on the MSc programme and project, may concern basic, translational or clinical science, epidemiology, and even demographic or social matters.
- synthesise, analyse and store data and information including the application of statistics and the use of relevant software.
- demonstrate the ability of critical thinking, including abstraction, analysis, critical judgement and the ability to formulate testable hypotheses.
- report on the current status of research in a chosen area.
- pose a problem and frame it in a fashion that is amenable to solution.
- apply communication skills in written and spoken form, including the use of illustrations, electronic media and constructive dialogue with peers and supervisors.
- use software for word processing and to generate illustrations and manage references.
- make efficient use of library, electronic and online resources.
- plan time effectively, apportioning efforts to literature research and writing in a well-balanced way, while undertaking other essential course activities
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Teaching and learning methods
- Regular (biweekly) consultations with supervisor starting with project orientation meeting and starter references. Email exchanges with supervisor.
- Regular informal contacts with research staff with overlapping interests.
- Training in critical evaluation of published work, and locating the edge of current knowledge.
- How to distinguish 'I don't understand this' from ' the answer is not known', leading to the identification of an important unsolved problem.
- Scientific writing: constructive feedback and improvement.
- Training in project design and formulation of hypothesis in close consultation with supervisor - on-line guidelines.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:
- identify and isolate basic scientific, translational, clinical, (and where relevant) epidemiological, demographic and social elements of their research problem
- undertake background work to provide themselves with the intellectual foundations for a full understanding of their chosen area, especially where interdisciplinarity demands a wider frame of reference than former training might have required
- report on the current status of research in a chosen area
Intellectual skills
On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:
- identify and isolate basic scientific, translational, clinical, (and where relevant) epidemiological, demographic and social elements of their research problem
- undertake background work to provide themselves with the intellectual foundations for a full understanding of their chosen area, especially where interdisciplinarity demands a wider frame of reference than former training might have required
- report on the current status of research in a chosen area
Practical skills
On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:
- use effective word processing
- use library, electronic and online resources
- use reference manager software
- develop appropriate illustrative materials for a report
Transferable skills and personal qualities
On completion of this Unit the student should be able to:
- to improve their own learning through planning, monitoring, critical reflection, evaluation and altering strategies
- to use word processing, database, spreadsheet and presentation software and the Internet
- independently gather, sift, synthesise and organise material from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources), and critically evaluate its significance.
- make a written presentation using language appropriate to a specialist readership
- collect and integrate evidence to formulate and test a research hypothesis
Employability skills
- Analytical skills
- Critical Evaluation
- Research
- Experience of devising and preparing research proposals
Assessment methods
Method Weight Other 50% Dissertation 50% The literature review and research proposal are equally weighted and both contribute 50% towards the final mark for this unit.
Feedback methods
Formative feedback is provided by a supervisor for both the literature review and research proposal on:
- a detailed plan
- a few-page excerpt of the report for academic writing style
Submitted reports will be annotated by assessors and detailed feedback given on the marksheet.
Recommended reading
Students will receive starter references relevant to their research projects from their Supervisor(s).
Study hours
Independent study hours Independent study 300 Teaching staff
Staff member Role Andreas Prokop Unit coordinator Janine Lamb Unit coordinator John Curtin Unit coordinator Guoqing Xia Unit coordinator Joe Swift Unit coordinator - Regular (biweekly) consultations with supervisor starting with project orientation meeting and starter references. Email exchanges with supervisor.