Module ARA3196 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
ARA3196: Independent Research
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 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
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. 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 Skills | 3. 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 Skills | 5. 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. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal outline | 1000 words | 1-2, 3-4 | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal with literature review | 100 | 8000 words | 1-2, 3-4, 5-7 | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal with literature review (8000 words) | Research proposal with literature review (8000 words) | 1-2, 3-4, 5-7 | January assessment period in the following year (as August/September submission) |
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.
