Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3196: Independent Research

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to equip you with the necessary research skills for conducting research at the Master’s level as well as to provide guidance in the initial stages of a dissertation in IAIS. After completing this module, you will have a well-defined research question and a good understanding of the major scholarly works in your chosen research area

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Demonstrate knowledge of major theories and research approaches within the discipline of Middle East and Islamic Studies;
2. Analyse relevant scholarly material for a dissertation;
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Show awareness and knowledge of major research methods, approaches, and skills necessary to conduct research;
4. Locate and situate your own research in disciplinary debates, controversies and developments;
Personal and Key Skills5. Research and access relevant scholarly works using databases and electronic search tools;
6. Communicate complex ideas and arguments in writing; and
7. Analyse a range of public and scholarly debates.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

  • Understanding what is a suitable research topic
  • How to locate a suitable research topic
  • Researching and writing a literature review
  • Elements of a research proposal
  • Deciding upon a methodology and approach
  • Planning the dissertation and time management

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
52950

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning & teaching activities55 hours of staff-led sessions teaching dissertation skills to students
Guided independent study280Researching and writing the research proposal and literature review
Guided independent study15Reading the assigned literature for staff-led sessions

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Basic reading:

Atkinson, P. A. (et al.) (2007), Handbook of Ethnography, Sage

Brady, H. E. and Collier, D. (2004), Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards, Rowman and Littlefield

Burnham, P.,Gilland, K.,Grant, W.and Layton-Henry,Z.(2004), Research Methods in Politics, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan

Burton, D.(ed) (2000), Research Training for Social Scientists, SAGE.

Creswell, J.W. (2008), Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches, Sage

DiYanni, R. (2007), Writing about the Humanities (3rd ed.), Prentice Hall

Dunleavy, P. (2003), Authoring a PhD, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan

King, G, Keohane, R.O.and Verba,S. (1994), Designing Social Inquiry, Princeton University Press.

Silverman, D. (ed) (2004), Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice, SAGE

Storey, W.K. (2008), Writing History. A Guide for Students (3rd ed.), Oxford University Press

Turabian, K. (1996), A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations, Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.