Module POL3231 for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3231: Research Experience
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Aims
By the end of this module you will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to work effectively as a research assistant, including how to communicate with your project manager, how to manage your time, and how to work as part of a team. You will also learn one political science or international relations research project in depth. During the module you will receive support and training and mentoring from the research active member of staff (your project manager). You will be tasked with conducting original, independent research and producing a substantial piece of writing that will form part of a larger research project that the project manager is working on. In the process, you will gain experience in how to demonstrate knowledge of political science and international relations as well as academic and practical research methods. While there are no guarantees, the expectation is that the research assistant will contribute sufficiently to a project to be added as a co-author on a manuscript to be submitted for peer-review for publication.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
---|---|
Module-Specific Skills | 1. Develop methodological research skills, specifically in reading, designing, and conducting experimental research 2. Attain knowledge of landmark experimental research studies in political science |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Exercise informed judgement concerning the practical constraints of being a research assistant in Politics/International relations 4. Exhibit an understanding of the relationship between knowledge and practice 5. Communicate (in writing and in speech) in a manner appropriate to professional research environment |
Personal and Key Skills | 6. Conduct both independent and directed research tasks 7. Exercise critical judgment in the form of cogent and persuasive writing |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
While the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover the following topics in chronological order:
-Initial meeting with staff member/researcher
-Outlining of specific tasks and responsibilities by the research
-Assignment of a relevant reading list to understand the project
-Submission of 1500 word literature review (using and expanding on the list provided)
-Submission of a 2500 word project contribution
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
5 | 145 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 5 | Tutorial meeting with project manager |
Guided Independent Study | 85 | Private study (investigations of sources and research) |
Guided Independent Study | 50 | Private study (writing) |
Guided Independent Study | 10 | Private study (reflection) |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
One research assistant-ship review | 750 word self-assessment | 3,4,5,6,7 | Oral feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Literature Review | 20 | 1500 words | 1-7 | Written and oral |
Project contribution | 80 | 2500 words | 1-7 | Written and oral |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Literature review | Literature review (1500 words) | 1-7 | August/September assessment period |
Project contribution | Project contribution (2500 words) | 1-7 | August/September assessment period |