BSc Global Health (intercalated)

This is a unit for HCRI students taking the BSc in International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response single honours, BSc in International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response with Languages and the BSC in Global Health. This course gives students the freedom to choose and formulate their own research question on an area related to International Disaster Management, Humanitarian Response, Peace and Conflict Studies or Global Health and produce a 6,000-word essay on it. Students will be given a choice of research questions, designed by subject specialism staff members or design their own in consultation with their supervisor. Through a series of group sessions, supported by individual meetings with the supervisor, students will receive assistance on developing a response to the research question. During the first few weeks of semester, students will receive advice on responding to research questions, developing a conceptual framework and carrying 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 single honours, BSc in International Disaster Management and Humanitarian Response with Languages and the BSC in Global Health. This course gives students the freedom to choose and formulate their own research question on an area related to International Disaster Management, Humanitarian Response, Peace and Conflict Studies or Global Health and produce a 6,000-word essay on it. Students will be given a choice of research questions, designed by subject specialism staff members or design their own in consultation with their supervisor. Through a series of group sessions, supported by individual meetings with the supervisor, students will receive assistance on developing a response to the research question. During the first few weeks of semester, students will receive advice on responding to research questions, developing a conceptual framework and carrying 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 will run in semester two.
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 2: 2 hours
Library session on extended writing in week 2 of sem 2: 2 hours
Library session on literature review in week 3 of sem 2: 2 hours
Conceptual framework session in week 4 of sem 2: 2 hours
Three 1-to-1 30mins meetings with topic lead in semester 2
Independent study

Students have the option of meeting their supervisors, or any other member of academic staff, at any point during office hours, and will be encouraged to do so.

• Enable students to formulate response to a research question based on their own interests within IDMHR
• Develop students' abilities to research their chosen topic in order to meet the demands of an extended piece of written work
• Encourage students to assess, evaluate and deploy in their own work the available critical material on their chosen topic  
   

• Develop students' abilities to develop sub-research questions to structure their own research paper according to their preferred interests
• Assimilate and critically deploy critical material on that topic
• Obtain the formal and intellectual skills requisite to the production of an extended piece of written work

• 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 students' writing skills by encouraging them to think about the demands, in terms of form and complexity, of an extended piece of written work
• Demonstrate resourcefulness - including an ability to use electronic resources - in her/his ability to research that topic

Formative Assessment Task

• Research question and plan
• Draft chapter

Summative Assessment Task

• Research paper - 100%

Research question and plan - Via Turnitin within one week

Draft chapter - Via Turnitin within 15 working days

Research paper - Via Turnitin

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

Rebecca Stott. (n.d.). Chapter 3: The Essay Writing Process. In A. Snaith & R. Rylance, Making your case: a practical guide to essay writing (pp. 36–58).

McMillan, Kathleen. (2012). The study skills book  (Kathleen. McMillan & J. D. B. Weyers, Eds.; 3rd ed.). Pearson.

Creme, P. (2008). Writing at university : a guide for students  (M. R. Lea, Ed.; 3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill/ Open University Press.

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

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