IS30400 Research and Discovery

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module will help students to what research means and how it is conducted in the broad field of information and communication studies. Through reading, discussion, designing and conducting research, and guest speakers, students will gain some research skills, explore what information studies research, and learn about information research in different sectors.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:

• recognise the features of high quality research in the social sciences
• identify the role of theory in social science research
• understand the role of ethics, equity, diversity, and inclusion in research design and practice
• present and communicate research results in an appropriate form
• identify how their research skills can be applied/ are relevant in the workplace and other settings outside of the academy
• design and carry out a small scale piece of research

Indicative Module Content:

Research Comprehension & Communication Skills
Practical Research Skills.
Responsible Research and Innovation
Equity & Inclusion Awareness & Skills
Professional & Career Development in Research.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

151
Total

225
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The discussion-based seminar module, which will be capped at 25 students, is scheduled so that all formal meetings occur in the first half of the term. Students will "follow" a pre-assigned (based on student interest) research topic of interest throughout the term and use that topic to explore research design, methods, and presentation of results. Students will be keeping reflective journals and will be expected to read and engage in discussion. Guest speakers who are active researchers in different environments will be speaking to the class as well.

During the second half of the term, students will produce a research question and general approach, a brief annotated bibliography or lit review, ethics/inclusion statement, and plan for carrying out a project of interest. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Essay Week 7 n/a Graded No

50
Project: Research proposal Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback for the first assignment will be provided in-class and on Brightspace after submission; feedback for the final assignment will be provided on Brightspace.

Name Role
Mr Conor Keogh Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Andrew Woods Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 15:00 - 16:50