To provide students with the opportunity to engage in a substantive social research project or ‘study’ through which they may develop a range of applied research (and research related) skills and competencies;

To provide students with an opportunity to undertake a social research project on behalf of an external partner (a local voluntary or community organisation), and to develop an understanding and gain experience of applied and collaborative working in this context;

To provide students with an opportunity to undertake research and produce knowledge that stands to impact positively on the work of their partner organisation and the communities they work with, and to develop an understanding of the value and role of social research in such extra-academic settings;

To provide students with an opportunity to engage in a process of experiential and reflexive learning by requiring them to reflect and report on their experience and development as a resear cher;

To provide students with the opportunity to make clearer connections between relevant theory and practice in terms of social research methods, the work of local voluntary and community organisations, and the nature of specific social issues.

(LO1) Students will demonstrate an ability to define, plan, and complete a substantive social research project or ‘study’

(LO2) Students will demonstrate an ability to identify and apply suitable methods for the collection and analysis of data, showing an awareness of relevant methodological ideas, and existing research in the relevant field(s)

(LO3) Students will demonstrate and ability to work effectively with an external partner to understand and effectively address a particular research need

(LO4) Students will demonstrate an ability to conduct research in an ethical, responsible, and sensitive manner, showing an awareness and understanding of relevant guidelines, as well as a sensitivity towards the particular context within which they are working

(LO5) Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate findings and the knowledge produced as part of a research project in an effective and appropriate manner

(LO6) Students will demonstrate an ability to reflect on and evaluate their actions, experience, learning and development as a researcher

(S1) Problem identification

(S2) Problem solving

(S3) Research Design

(S4) Data Collection/Production

(S5) Data Analysis

(S6) Information retrieval, synthesis, and analysis

(S7) Critical thinking

(S8) Creative thinking

(S9) Decision-Making

(S10) Initiative

(S11) Independence

(S12) Adaptability

(S13) Resilience

(S14) Self-confidence

(S15) Self-management

(S16) Time management

(S17) Ethical appreciation

(S18) Collaboration

(S19) Negotiation

(S20) Written and verbal communication

(S21) Listening

(S22) Self-awareness

(S23) Critical reflection and evaluation

(S24) Improving own Learning

Alongside regular supervision students will be supported by a range of online resources (available via CANVAS) covering key topics including:

Collaborative, Participatory and Action Oriented Research
Ethics and Ethical Research Practice
Reflexivity in Research Practice
Experiential and Reflective Learning
Understanding the local Voluntary and Community Sector

Teaching Method 1: Individual Supervision

Description: Students will be individually supervised by a member of academic staff throughout. This will take place via a combination of one-to-one meetings and email correspondence with the supervisor. The frequency of contact will vary throughout the duration of the project, but there will be a minimum expectation of the equivalent of one meeting per month (12 hours).

Attendance Recorded: No

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 588

Description: Students will sped the vast majority of the time allocated to this module designing, planning, and carrying out their research project. This will involve working with their partner organisation as well as seeking guidance from and talking to their supervisor. During the earlier phases of the project students may spend time engaging with the modules online resources as appropriate/necessary, and may need to complete an application for ethical approval. Later in the process students will need to spend time producing their partner facing report and the reflective report.