| Unit name | Research Skills 2 |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CENGM0060 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Gronow |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Department of Civil Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
In this unit students will refine the techniques that they learned in the first unit (Research Skills 1), and have been practising in the other units throughout the programme, and learn how to apply these skills to undertake an in-depth piece of research.
This unit parallels the early stages of unpacking and developing the research project topic including understanding the context in which the problem sits, the research problem itself, development of a research question, how to go about answering the question and how to present the findings. A particular focus will be guidance in the planning and execution of the research project so that the student is well placed to commence the formal research component on completion of coursework.
At the end of this unit successful students will be able to:
M7.1 apply the skills learnt throughout the programme to design and produce a clear, relevant report;
M7.2 demonstrate self-direction and initiative by acting (semi-) autonomously to plan and manage the research process;
M7.3 contextualise their focus of study within the broader scientific landscape;
M7.4 explain systematically, comprehensively and clearly the research which informs their topic;
M7.5 synthesize complex issues, and judge how to communicate them to an appropriate level of detail;
M7.6 summarize and critically evaluate their findings and apply them to create a plan for further research.
The teaching in this unit comprises formal lectures and class activities. Students may also seek support from their allocated supervisor to complete the assessment components.
This unit will be assessed by 100% coursework, which will include a dissertation plan (10%), literature portfolio (50%) and poster presentation (40%)
Cutts, M. (2013), The Oxford Guide to Plain English, 4th edition, OUP, 0199558507 (earlier editions also suitable)
Gruba, P. Zobel, J. (2014), How to Write a Better Minor Thesis, MUP, 9780522866100
Ramsey Fowler, H. and Aaron, J.E. (2014), The Little, Brown Handbook, 12th edition, Pearson, 0205734960 (earlier editions also suitable)
