Credit Points: 15
Study Time: 150 Hours

This unit provides you with the opportunity to develop your critical consideration of, and research into, a specific theme or issue that is of particular interest to you and has relevance to your study and practice. It encourages you to locate your creative work in related critical and theoretical contexts and to develop your research and communication skills.

This unit will help you to develop a focused study; to identify and define a particular research theme and to plan a specific line of critical enquiry that contains a core discussion and critical analysis of the selected theme/issue. It will develop your ability to position, structure and research a selected theme and to produce a critically analytical written piece. Through key research into your selected theme you will create a written study that considers core questions and issues using primary and secondary sources. Your study will also include a reflective evaluative summary that allows you to reflect upon the quality and viability of your work.

The unit develops further your research, critical and analytical skills that you have advanced throughout your studies to date across your course units. Through discussion with tutors you will identify and develop an appropriate and viable research study that is linked to your subject specialism.

Outline Syllabus

• Exploration of research themes and issues
• Research methodology
• Critical theory and visual culture – sources and resources
• Advanced online database research
• The role of a literature review
• Critical and analytical writing skills
• Development of critical argument
• Development of reference sources and academic protocols including bibliography (AUCB academic conventions)

Method of Delivery
Workshops, lectures; seminars; library research skills tuition; individual and group tutorials.

Aims

A1 To identify links between your specialist topic and the relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks.
A2 To establish an understanding of the various processes and methods of research and critical appraisal.
A3 To develop the organisational skills which will enable independent learning and self- management.

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you will be able to:

LO1 Demonstrate your ability to make links between your specialist topic and relevant theoretical/conceptual frameworks.
LO2 Demonstrate your understanding of the various processes and methods of research and critical appraisal
LO3 Demonstrate the application of organisational skills and evidence of independent learning and self-management.

Reference Material

Key
Baxter, Lorraine, Hughes, Christian and Tight, Malcom (2002). How to research. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Bell, J. (1999). Doing your research project. (3rd ed.). Buckingham: Open University Press.
Denscombe, M. (2001). The Good Research Guide. Milton Keynes: The Open University. Expert 920040. Index Theses. London: Expert information, Index to theses (Available from: www.theses.com)
Hart, C. (2001). Doing a literature search. London: Sage.

Recommended
Goode, A. (1999). A Guide to Finding Quality Information on the Internet. London: Library Association.
Rudestam, K. (2000). Surviving your dissertation. London: Sage.
Thomson, A. (1996). Critical Reasoning – a practical introduction. London: Routledge.
William, N. (2001). Your research project. London: Sage.

Additional guidance on primary and secondary sources and other appropriate material will be provided by your tutor and Subject Librarian on identification of research theme/issue.