Major independent project for MSc programme in Earth Futures or MRes in Human Geography

January - submission of project proposal (assessed as part of other modules)

Feb/March - submission of ethics form

August - submission of draft written project material for formative feedback

End August - submission of project

None

None

15,000 word research project submitted at end of August

■ To integrate knowledge gained during the programme by applying it to a substantial and intensive project.

■ To allow students to pursue one particular topic in depth.

■ To encourage investigative study and the application of this to a particular social and/or environmental challenge.

■ To develop an awareness and experience of a range of quantitative and qualitative research methods and their applicability in different research settings.

■ To give experience in preparing a substantial report on an extended project.

Projects will be
- a theoretical / research-oriented project in which some problem is investigated by collection of primary data or analysis of a substantial secondary data set;

By the end of this course students will be able to: 

■ provide a critical stance on the appropriate use of different research methods (e.g. quantitative, qualitative, archival, GIS) in the context of the dissertation project;

■ explain the use of relevant research concepts in an independent dissertation

■ analyse the ethics surrounding 'field' research in an independent dissertation

■ provide evidence, through the writing of the dissertation project, of independent critical thought

■ analyse a particular 'real world' situation of space, policy, and power (MRes) OR a particular environmental and/or social 'challenge' (Earth Futures) in an independent dissertation

■ Plan and carry out a substantial research task.

■ Work to deadlines

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment. Attendance at all seminars.