Undergraduate Module Descriptor

ARA3196: Independent Research

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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 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
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

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)