Programme Overview

This skills-focused module aims to develop your ability to plan and design a research proposal in preparation for your dissertation, preparing you for developing high quality future research proposals which are vital for obtaining research funding. The module will enable you to develop skills in research design to consolidate and apply your skills in the critical appraisal of literature and evidence, ethical research, project planning, scientific writing, and communication.

Critical thinking skills will be further developed and consolidated through critically appraising of research evidence to help frame the research problem you will be investigating. This will include identifying and deconstructing current arguments and debates in the relevant field. Then support you to develop a clear research question, aims and objectives for your dissertation, and to align the appropriate research paradigm and sampling / data collection methods appropriate to achieving these. This will include emphasis on critical evaluation of alternative approaches, and on identifying and mitigating threats to the validity and reliability (or trustworthiness) of your proposed study design.

The module will also develop your awareness of power within research, core values for conducting research, and ability to apply appropriate decision-making skills when faced with ambiguous and challenging situations. These will include principles of ethical reasoning, research integrity, safeguarding, data security and relevant legal frameworks. As part of the module, you will develop an application for ethical approval (if needed).

You will develop and apply skills in project planning to develop a detailed project timeline, budget and to consider logistical requirements and ethical issues. You will also undertake a risk assessment of any safety risks, and wider risks that may pose a threat to the successful completion of your research dissertation. We will use a project log to record your project planning as the module proceeds, which can serve as valuable evidence to support your employability.

Advanced skills will be developed in literature searching, impactful scientific writing, use of graphics and data visualisation and preparing a structure for writing up your research. Additional skills in quantitative or qualitative research or systematic review methods will be developed depending on the type of research proposal you develop.

The module is assessed by a single summative assessment in the form of a 3000-word project proposal.  This assesses your skills in designing and planning a project that is achievable and with potential ethical issues and risks identified and mitigated.