K400/K130/D447/F846/K460. Architecture and Planning. Barry Goodchild. Independent Guided Study

Transcription

1 MODULE DESCRIPTOR TITLE SI MODULE CODE Major Research Project C CREDITS 45 LEVEL 7 JACS CODE SUBJECT GROUP DEPARTMET MODULE LEADER K400/K130/D447/F846/K460 Various Architecture and Planning Barry Goodchild MODULE STUDY HOURS (based on 10 hours per credit)* Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities Placement (if applicable) Independent Guided Study Total umber of Study Hours 5 (+ teaching and individual supervision undertaken in the Applied Research Methods module) MODULE AIM To enable an individual student to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project, involving a critical, evaluative or creative approach to an aspect of practice or design. This module is mandatory for students wishing to achieve the award of MA or MSc. The output, a dissertation or artefact, complies with the University s requirements for the award of Masters degrees and with the description of MA/ MSc awards by the Quality Assurance Agency for England and Wales. MODULE LEARIG OUTCOMES By engaging successfully with the requirements of a Major Research Project, a student will be able to:

2 undertake work that adds to a body of knowledge and theory or that applies theory in a professional field such as architecture, planning, transport planning, urban regeneration, environmental management and geographical information systems; apply research and creative methods in a specific area of specialisation in a way that conforms to relevant ethical, scientific and professional requirements cope with the intellectual and practical pressures involved in extended research and creative work; evaluate the research undertaken by others in the relevant professional field. IDICATIVE COTET The subject matter of the major project will relate to the relevant award. Cross-disciplinary and cross-professional major projects are also acceptable and welcome. Students will be expected to take advantage of all forms of academic and professional media relevant to their specialist subject. Each major research project will include the following; Project aims, objectives and purpose. Reviews of theory and of existing studies, precedents and examples as appropriate. A statement of research methods and methodology, including design methods where appropriate. The execution of relevant data collection, management, presentation and analysis. Construction of knowledge, including construction of an innovative technical or artistic proposal. Where creative work is involved, this will be informed by and related to the theoretical aspects of the project. LEARIG, TEACHIG AD ASSESSMET - STRATEGY AD METHODS Learning and Teaching All students, before starting on the major project will have successfully completed the Applied Research Methods module, which: - explains the range of topics and exercises that are suitable for a Masters research project - gives students the skills and techniques to assess and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different research methodologies and designs relevant to a Masters level research study; - identifies key ethical issues; and - provides students with an opportunity to design and develop an appropriate research and design methodology to study complex problems, issues and conceptions in their selected area of study. Thereafter students undertake independent learning, with one to one sessions from a supervisor who is familiar with the field. The supervisor will be appointed towards the end of

3 the Applied Research Methods module. He or she will normally be a member of the teaching or research staff of the Faculty of Society and Development. Assessment There will be one element to the assessment for this module, which will comprise the preparation of either an individual dissertation of 15,000 words involving the analysis of a specialised topic of the student s choice. or an artefact such as a set of architectural drawings, an analytical model or a computer programme, supported by a written explanation and justification of a minimum of 5,000 words. An artefact is typically a work of art, literature or design or an aspect of technology. It is likely to take different forms in different professional fields of application. The detailed assessment criteria include all of the following: - the clarity, originality and relevance of the project, as proposed and executed; - the number of academic references, precedents and examples cited and the quality of analysis of these; - the extent of a link between theory, methods and either the analysis of findings or the development of the artefact; - the thoroughness of execution; - the clarity of presentation; - consistency with specific instructions regarding ethical standards, format, presentation and length. In marking the work staff also take into account the following general criteria, all of which are also related to the learning outcomes: Pass Identifies a specialist subject for research and analysis. Some links between the specialist project and a wider context of theoretical knowledge are established and partially justified. Arguments partially sustained, and supported by valid data that offers few original or new insights. Synthesis of some of the data and information relating to the selected project. Distinction Provide a precise outline of a specialist subject for research and analysis. Makes extensive links between the specialist project and a wider context of theoretical knowledge. Justifies and fully explains the relevance of the project. Arguments fully supported by valid and significant evidence or by the demonstration of logical linkages. In doing this, provides elements that are new and original. A comprehensive synthesis of the data and information relating to the selected project, with evidence of a degree of innovation. Methodologies and methods are partially evaluated, and applied with little adaptation to area of specialised Methodologies and methods adopted in the study are fully and critically evaluated, and then applied to the project field of specialised

4 knowledge. Make references to a combination of key academic research and previous project precedents as appropriate. Written arguments, diagrams, formulas and drawings are used cogently and coherently, as appropriate in relevant parts of the study report. Produces independent work that shows exact conformity to the mandatory requirements in the Module Guide, meets the ethical requirements of applied research and conforms to the logic and conventions of the relevant professional area. knowledge in a rigorous and valid way showing added depth of understanding or improvements in technique and level of detail. Draws extensively and creatively on either current research and academic publications or on previous innovative design, artistic and technical work. Provides a clear demonstration of the links between the analytical or creative contents of the project and previous work. Written arguments, diagrams, formulas and drawings are used cogently and coherently in all parts of the study report. Involves a high level of communication through either written, visual or technical documentation or a combination of these. Produces independent work that shows exact conformity to the mandatory requirements in the Module Guide, meets the ethical requirements of applied research and conforms to the logic and conventions of the relevant professional area. FEEDBACK During the course of their studies, students will meet their supervisor several times for individual tuition in face to face meetings as well as receiving guidance via letters, telephone conversations and by using . The supervisor is responsible for providing assistance and monitoring progress, from the commencement of the ARMs 2 coursework to completion of the dissertation. A supervision report form is available to record the outcome of meetings. Staff and students are both encouraged to use this. LEARIG RESOURCES FOR THIS MODULE (ICLUDIG READIG LISTS) General reading is set in the Applied Research methods module. The Dissertation involves a student-directed, enquiry-based learning process that is also guided by a supervisor. In this context, students will use resources such as the books and articles held at the Adsetts Centre and the electronic search engines available on the Adsetts Centre on-line catalogue and from other web-based sources. The student and the supervisor will discuss which information sources are relevant. In addition, students will have access to specialist software in the fields of geographical information systems, computer-aided design and statistics. The student and supervisor will discuss the use of this software, as appropriate to the aims of the project and the professional background. With the agreement of the supervisor, a student may use information and software available in their workplace or elsewhere outside Sheffield Hallam University

5 SECTIO 2 MODULE IFORMATIO FOR STAFF OLY MODULE DELIVERY AD ASSESSMET MAAGEMET IFORMATIO MODULE STATUS - IDICATE IF AY CHAGES BEIG MADE EW MODULE Y EXISTIG MODULE - O CHAGE Title Change Level Change Credit Change Assessment Pattern Change Change to Delivery Pattern Date the changes (or new module) will be implemented 09/2013 MODULE DELIVERY PATTER - Give details of the start and end dates for each module. If the course has more than one intake, for example, September and January, please give details of the module start and end dates for each intake. Module Begins Module Ends Course Intake 1 (FT) 09/ /2015 Course Intake 2 (PT) 09/ /2016 Course Intake 3 01/ /2015 Course Intake 4 01/ /2017 Is timetabled contact time required for this module? Are any staff teaching on this module non-shu employees? If yes, please give details of the employer institution(s) below What proportion of the module is taught by these non-shu staff, expressed as a percentage? MODULE ASSESSMET IFORMATIO Indicate how the module will be marked *Overall PERCETAGE Mark of 40% Y *Overall PASS / FAIL Grade *Choose one only module cannot include both percentage mark and pass/fail graded tasks SUB-TASKS Will any sub-tasks (activities) be used as part of the assessment strategy for this module? If sub-tasks / activities are to be used this must be approved within the Faculty prior to approval. Sub-task / activity marks will be recorded locally and extenuating circumstances, extensions, referrals and deferrals will not apply to sub-tasks / activities. FIAL TASK According to the Assessment Information shown in the Module Descriptor, which task will be the LAST TASK to be taken or handedin? (Give task number as shown in the Assessment Information Grid in Section 1 of the Descriptor) O-STADARD ASSESSMET PATTERS MARK 'X' I BOX IF MODULE ASSESSMET PATTER IS O STADARD, eg MODEL B, ALL TASKS MUST BE PASSED AT 40%. Task o. 1 B: on-standard assessment patterns are subject to faculty agreement and approval by Registry Services - see guidance. notes.

6 CHECKED Date March 2015 Reason Checked Against SI - correct