Module Summary

This module provides a sound basis to support students in the undertaking of a substantial research project appropriate to Master’s level, in terms of the identification of a topic and the development of an appropriate research strategy for its completion. Students will learn how to retrieve, annotate and discuss appropriate sources and how to collect, classify and analyse primary and secondary data. The module will also cover how to adhere to academic writing standards and ethics requirements and how to avoid plagiarism. As well as discussing and critically analyse research methodological approaches in applied linguistics, students will also practise research and data collection techniques with dedicated research tools (e.g. corpus analysis tools) and tailor-made resources (e.g. the British Academic Written English corpus).

By the end of the module, we expect that you will have:

  • a coherent and focused project proposal to take forward into the dissertation module
  • an in-depth knowledge of the literature surrounding the field you will be conducting research in
  • an action plan
  • discussed your proposal with your tutor or supervisor at least once
  • an understanding of ethics

Book associated with this module

Research Methods for undergraduate and postgraduate students

So you’re a student at university looking to do research and write a dissertation (thesis)? This book is for you. It’s an essential guide to the research process covering all stages from planning to doing to writing up and proofing. The book also has a unique section on publishing your dissertation for those who wish to push their academic career along. Unlike other books, it does not assume that you have infinite time and resources to conduct your research. It recognises that at this level you probably have six months or less to finish the dissertation and gives practical advice on which studies are feasible and which are not. The book gets on top of the research terminology by giving concise, working definitions of the key terms, which will appeal to international students. With over 30 years of experience in leading and teaching research in a variety of fields, Dr Michael Cribb has pulled together all his wisdom and knowledge in one book to help guide students through their first big research project.