MSc Research Project

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Produce overall conclusions that are supported by the data and summarise the project in an abstract.
• Define aims and objectives. Partition the project into a manageable sequence of tasks with clearly defined deliverables and milestones that can be achieved in realistic timescales.
• Design an appropriate methodology (such as an experiment or simulation) that will answer the research question. Provide justification for the approach adopted considering possible sources of bias or error in the methods used.
• Critically appraise existing literature on your research subject, explain concepts where relevant and synthesise information from a range of sources in order to define a research question and/or scientific hypotheses that can be tested.
• Provide (where appropriate) an analysis (for example using statistics) to define the degree of uncertainty in the results and their possible implications.
• Effectively communicate the results and conclusions of the research in writing. Use a scientific writing style with clear referencing and documentation of results.
• Critically evaluate the quality of the project (for example strengths and weaknesses of the study), discuss findings in the context of previous literature and make suggestions for future follow-on research.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Effectively organise time to deliver on the project's aims within the limited time available.
• Reflect on your performance and identify areas for self development.
• Effectively manage tasks and solve problems.
• Apply critical analysis and judgement.
• Develop scientific writing skills including clear documentation of results and accurate referencing.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop and apply appropriate data collection procedures.
• Appraise risks and hazards associated with the data collection element of the project, considering issues of ethics and sustainability where appropriate. Appraise the risks for the project as a whole.
• Critically apply appropriate analysis methods to research data.

Key stages in the process with approximate timings:

Over the course of the teaching semesters, students will be informed of available projects and supervisors, and provided with project guidance. After allocation of project supervisors (in mid Semester 2), students begin background reading and project planning - noting that this runs alongside other taught modules. The main period for project work begins after Semester 2 assessments are complete, however students may begin work earlier if they wish and if they have completed any necessary risk assessments and ERGO Applications*.

Summer

End of August - supervisor input to project ends to allow students to work independently

By agreed September deadline - students submit all required project materials and research paper for assessment.

* Where ethics approval is required, this must be sought as early as possible. Note that there can be a delay of a few weeks from submitting an ethics application to it being approved and sometimes revisions will be requested before final approval. Extensions will not be given on the basis of delayed ethics approval if you do not submit your first application on time.

Supervision meetings

While there is no fixed timetable for supervision sessions, these meetings are very important and need to be agreed early on in the project process at times mutually convenient to both supervisor and student. You have responsibility for taking the initiative in planning and managing these meetings and should maintain regular contact with your supervisor. It is good practice to think about agenda items and any questions you wish to ask before each supervisory meeting, perhaps sending these to the supervisor before you meet. After the meeting, produce notes on topics discussed, all actions agreed and any target dates for the completion of tasks.

All projects, students and supervisors differ, but meetings once every one or two weeks is the normal pattern. Total supervisory input, including any field sessions, lab training, feedback etc. should not exceed 20 hours per project.

Teaching activities include meetings, field/lab training sessions etc. with your project supervisor (and lab technicians), and general project guidance seminars from the module lead.

Learning activities include preparation of the formative scoping study and literature review, all aspects of the independent research and production of the final research paper, for which you will be given guidelines. The time you spend on different activities will depend on the project topic and your prior knowledge.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Literature review

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Supervisors will annotate the submission and/or discuss the work with the student
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.