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MAEL 110
Academic Research Skills
Conducting research in an effective manner, contributing to academic discussion, presenting own perspectives, approaching assessment, and navigating the world of technology are all skills expected of students following postgraduate studies. This module will thus give participants the opportunity to consolidate and further develop academic research skills whilst simultaneously providing them with effective techniques and tools to evaluate and critique research literature, substantiate their claims and effectively communicate their findings. In addition to this, academic issues pertaining to plagiarism and ethics will also be addressed together with methods of how to tackle and mitigate these.
By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:
a. Conduct research using appropriate resources and literature at the forefront of the field;
b. Develop original ideas and solutions to problems through a research-based approach;
c. Direct own learning and research at postgraduate level;
d. Manage time effectively to reach research and study targets and deadlines.
a. Comprehensively and systematically identify the key aspects and structure of academic work at postgraduate level;
b. Critically identify the authority and validity of sources for own research;
c. Develop an appreciation for different types of research;
d. Recognise elements of valuable research including defining problems, refuting counterarguments, substantiating claims and providing evidence;
e. Develop an awareness of plagiarism and research ethics and how to mitigate them.
a. Evaluate and critique research to produce original research;
b. Produce academic work utilising appropriate and reliable research literature, sources, and references;
c. Effectively contribute own viewpoint through different modalities;
d. Deploy originality in the application of knowledge.
This programme adopts continuous and summative methods of assessment including assignments, online tasks, reflective journals, projects and video presentations. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures.
1. Byrne, D. (2017). ‘How do I write academically?’. In Project Planner. UK: SAGE Publications Ltd.
2. Elliott, GC, Kadi-Hanifi, K. and Solvason, C. (2018). Your Guide to Successful Postgraduate Study. SAGE Publications, London
3. Fandl, K.J., and Smith, J.D. (2016). Success as an Online Student: Strategies for Effective Learning. London: Taylor & Francis Group.
4. Wilkinson, D. (2005). The Essential Guide to Postgraduate Study: Sage study skills. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
1. Anderson, E.E, and Corneli, A. (2018). 100 Questions (and Answers) About Research Ethics. Sage 100 questions and answers, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
2. Grix, J., (2018). The Foundations of Research. UK: Springer.
3. Golden-Biddle, K. and Locke, K. (2007). The Style and Practice of Our Academic Writing. In: Composing Qualitative Research, 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. pp. 9-24
4. Murray, R. (2006). Writing Articles, Books and Presentations. In: From Postgraduate to Social Scientist, SAGE Study Skills. London: SAGE Publications Ltd pp. 149-170.
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