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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: POL1006 Module Title: INTRODUCTION TO STUDY & RESEARCH SKILLS
Module Provider: Politics Short Name: POL106
Level: HE1 Module Co-ordinator: DAVID M Dr (Politics)
Number of credits: 20 Number of ECTS credits: 10
 
Module Availability

Year Long

Assessment Pattern

Unit(s) of Assessment
Weighting Towards Module Mark (%)
Coursework – Essay (2000 words)
40%
Project (Research Case Study)
30%
Portfolio
30%
Qualifying Condition(s) 
 
  • Portfolio entries will be linked to attendance.
  • 50% attendance at tutorials/seminars is required to take the final exam

Module Overview

This module introduces students to the variety of study skills needed at HE level and the resources available for appropriate support. It aims to provide a working framework of the variety of research methodologies currently used in politics, international and policy studies.
Prerequisites/Co-requisites

None
Module Aims

Students will:

  • Have an overview of the different learning opportunities open to them. 
  • Have an understanding of the study skills required by the course and an appraisal of their own skills. 
  • Gain an overview of skills appropriate to different approaches to research.
Learning Outcomes

Generic Learning Outcomes and Skills

Cognitive Skills 

  • Understand the expectations of the course and be able to improve their study skills in response. Apply their enhanced skills throughout the course. 
  • Use research methodologies appropriately.

Transferable skills 

  • Learn effectively and communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing, including the use of ICT.
  • Deploy a range of relevant research skills.

Practical Skills 

  • Apply self organisation and time management. 
  • Make appropriate use of information and communications technology. 
  • Demonstrate the ability to present work orally. 
  • Employ relevant research skills to investigate a politics- or policy-related area. 
  • Access relevant politics- and policy-related datasets and be able to retrieve data from them.
Module Content

Study Skills

  • Orientation to the campus environment. 
  • Organising and managing work loads. 
  • Essay and report writing. 
  • Using source material. 
  • Understanding marking schemes. 
  • Preparing for and being examined.

Introduction to Research Methodologies 

  • Quantitative research. 
  • Sampling. 
  • Structured interviews. 
  • Questionnaires. 
  • Qualitative research. 
  • Ethnography and participation. 
  • Interviewing and communicative dialogue.
Methods of Teaching/Learning

Lectures, seminars, discussion, analysis of texts.
Selected Texts/Journals

Selected Texts/Journals 

Bryman, A. (2002) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Dunleavy, P. (1986) Studying for a degree in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Burnham, P., Gilland, K., Grant, W. and Layton-Henry, Z. (2004) Research Methods in Politics, Basingstoke, Palgrave

Last Updated

01.02.07