BSc International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response and Spanish / Course details

This is a unit for HCRI students taking the BSc in International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response. This course enables students to write a sustained piece of independent research. Through a series of group sessions, supported by individual meetings with the supervisor, students will be given guidance on appropriate topics, and assistance in framing their research proposal. During the first few weeks of semester, students will receive advice on how to formulate research questions, develop a conceptual framework and carry out independent research. The library will also provide support on writing a critical literature review, accessing resources and time management. Supported by supervisions, students will develop confidence in conducting original secondary research, expressing informed opinion and reflecting on the research process. The course will also enhance writing and presentation skills to appropriate academic standards. 

This is a unit for HCRI students taking the BSc in International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response. This course enables students to write a sustained piece of independent research. Through a series of group sessions, supported by individual meetings with the supervisor, students will be given guidance on appropriate topics, and assistance in framing their research proposal. During the first few weeks of semester, students will receive advice on how to formulate research questions, develop a conceptual framework and carry out independent research. The library will also provide support on writing a critical literature review, accessing resources and time management. Supported by supervisions, students will develop confidence in conducting original secondary research, expressing informed opinion and reflecting on the research process. The course will also enhance writing and presentation skills to appropriate academic standards. 

The course is taught via interactive workshops and individual supervision. It will be supported by a Blackboard site that conforms to the requirements for a course unit handbook, reading materials and a reading lists online link.

Introduction to the research essay in week 1 of sem 1: 2 hours
Library session on extended writing in week 2 of sem 1: 2 hours
Library session on literature review in week 3 of sem 1: 2 hours
Conceptual framework session in week 4 of sem 1: 2 hours
1 group seminar of research questions with module lead, week 3: 2 hours
Four 1-to-1 30mins - 1 hour meetings with topic lead in semesters 1 & 2.
Independent study

• Understand the structure of an independent piece of research and the various limitations and challenges of conducting research at this level. 
• Gain deeper knowledge of a particular issue in IDMHR
• Understand how to formulate research questions and conduct research in response to these questions.

• Define an issue in the study of IDMHR to develop your skills of analysing and formulating an argument in interpretation of that source material
• Perform close reading of texts and analyse and evaluate research projects created by other scholars.
• Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret different sources in IDMHR
   

• Compile a bibliography of different types of sources from a range of appropriate Information sources (e.g. library catalogue, electronic databases, web etc)
• Develop individual research skills through independent study
• Perform close reading of texts and design and execute research projects
   

• Develop skills of working independently
• Develop communication skills for a variety of audiences 
• Develop, plan and achieve individual research outcomes 
• Develop research, critical thinking and written skills 
   

Formative Assessment Task

• Research question and plan 
• Draft chapter

Summative Assessment Task

• Extended research paper - 100%

Mackenzie, N., & Knipe, S. (2006). Research dilemmas : paradigms, methods and methodology. Issues in Educational Research, 16(2), 193–205.

Terrell, S. R. (2022). Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation: Guidelines and Examples. United States: Guilford Publications.

The Decolonizing the Academy Reading List. (n.d.). http://democracyinafrica.org/decolonizing_the_academy/

Jabareen, Y. (2009). Building a Conceptual Framework: Philosophy, Definitions, and Procedure. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(4), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690900800406

Grix, J. (2016). Introducing Students to the Generic Terminology of Social Research. Politics, 22(3), 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9256.00173

Denscombe, M. (2014). The good research guide : for small-scale research projects  (Fifth edition., pp. 1 online resource (xvi, 356 pages .).). Open University Press.

Thomas, G. (2011). How to do your case study : a guide for students and researchers . Sage.