Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3231: Research Experience

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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.

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. 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).