Module SSIM903 for 2020/1
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SSIM903: Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Design
This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.
Module Aims
The module will fulfil the ESRC requirement for training in core research design, collection and analysis skills by addressing the on the ground characteristics and challenges of ‘doing’ interdisciplinary research. On completion of the module you will be able to critically assess concepts such as interdisciplinarity, multidisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity. You will have acquired relevant practical skills and knowledge of how a range of methods can be integrated in an ethically sound manner to examine interdisciplinary problems, and will have developed an appreciation of the importance of pertinent interdisciplinary thinking.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Define and communicate the complexities of defining and describing interdisciplinary research. 2. Appreciate the inherent and necessary interdisciplinarity of studying contemporary social science issues 3. Demonstrate analytical and conceptual skills in your research design and written work. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. Demonstrate relevant critical skills for the evaluation of evidence. 5. Address interdisciplinary problems from a range of social science perspectives. 6. Elaborate the ethical aspects of interdisciplinary research. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. Elaborate the ethical aspects of interdisciplinary research. 8. Manage your time to complete an independent research project. 9. Demonstrate lateral, critical and analytical reasoning. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
The module consists of three, day long and intensive workshops held at Bristol, Bath and then Exeter. The workshops are organised in a way that is interactive, and there are moments for you to reflect on your own research experience and ambitions. Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it will be taught using practical examples and it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Why disciplines and interdisciplinarity?
- Methods for interdisciplinary research
- Ethics in interdisciplinary research
- Impact and the use of evidence in policy
- The theory and practice of transdisciplinary research
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 129 | 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 | 21 | This module will be delivered in three face-to-face one day (seven hour) sessions (Bristol x1, Bath x1, Exeter x1). Each institution will take responsibility for delivery one focused workshop at their own institutions. |
| Guided Independent Study | 64 | Reading a preparation for face-to face sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | 65 | Writing and researching for coursework |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
