Syllabus

• Week 1

  Starting an academic research project

  • Getting started

    Welcome to 'Developing your research project'. You will find information about the course structure & assessment and some notes for tutors / supervisors. You will meet the course educators and the online mentoring team.

  • Why do academic research?

    By the end of this activity you will have a clear understanding of what academic research is and the broad range of transferable skills you can develop from undertaking a research project

  • Critical success factors

    By the end of this activity you will have a clear understanding of the wider factors to consider when planning on undertaking a piece of academic research.

  • Week 1 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

• Week 2

  Drafting a research proposal

  • Drafting a research proposal

    We will be discussing the process of selecting a suitable theme and topic for a research project. By the end of this week you will be able to identify key research questions drawn from your draft research proposal & hypothesis

  • Developing your ideas

    In this peer review activity you are encouraged to share your draft hypothesis and initial research questions and for you to feedback on each other's ideas to develop them further.

  • Week 2 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

• Week 3

  Undertaking research and recording your findings

  • Finding information

    This week’s activities will provide guidance on how to find and select reliable sources, as well as how to record the origins of these sources to make sure you can prove where your evidence came from.

  • What sources are available?

    We will be providing you with a brief introduction to different types of sources. By the end of the activity you will understand the pros and cons of using different types of sources and you will know how to record your findings.

  • Starting your research

    So how do you actually get going with your research? You will find that 'exploding out' the terms in your draft title can help you to get on your way!

  • Week 3 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

• Week 4

  Choosing an appropriate research methodology

  • Identifying different research methodologies

    This week's activities will introduce you to the different research methodologies you can employ to build your argument and to consider what you think might be a suitable methodology to use and why.

  • Choosing an appropriate research methodology

    By the end of this activity, you will have identified a methodology which you think best fits your research project and will be able to update your research proposal

  • Week 4 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

• Week 5

  Academic reading

  • Academic reading

    Getting through all of the available information for a research project can seem overwhelming. By the end of this week you will have a range of effective reading techniques and know which is suitable for what source.

  • Developing academic reading techniques

    We will introduce you to ways of varying your style and approach depending upon the nature of the task. You will develop techniques to actively note down the important information you find when you're doing this reading.

  • Week 5 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

• Week 6

  Referencing

  • Referencing

    This week we will provide guidance on how to effectively reference your work. By the end of this week you will be aware of the different styles of referencing and know how to set your references out to an academic standard.

  • When to reference? what to reference?

    The list of things that you could possibly draw evidence from, cite within your text and produce a bibliography for, is virtually endless.

  • Week 6 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

• Week 7

  Writing up your research

  • Writing up your research

    This week we will explore how to plan out a lengthy essay whilst integrating the results of your research. By the end of this week, you will know how to construct a well-supported, original academic argument.

  • Writing a summary of your research proposal

    Writing a summary of your proposal will prepare you for writing an abstract for your research project. This is also an ideal opportunity to feedback once again to each other on your ideas so far.

  • Week 7 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

• Week 8

  Presenting your research

  • Presenting your research

    This week we cover the key elements of delivering an effective academic presentation based upon your research project. By the end of this week you will be aware of what the core elements are that you must include.

  • End of course test

    In this final week, we test a little of what you have learned about the research skills needed to undertake a research project.

  • Week 8 - summary activities

    In this final activity we summarise the main points covered this week and encourage you to reflect on what you've learnt.

  • What next?

    In this final activity we say thank you & goodbye, link you to additional resources, point you towards opportunities for further study at the University of Southampton and to the post-course survey.

Who will you learn with?