MP5039 - Methodologies (Media and Film)

The module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. The taught component of the module will consist of 11 two-hour lecture slots accompanied by 11 one-hour seminar slots across the semester. Every lecture will have a corresponding seminar in which the issues raised in the lectures will be explored in greater depth. The lectures will mainly be concerned with introducing the key methodological contentions and issues. The lecture slot is long so as to allow space for the tutor to: a) introduce research study examples; b) demonstrate the ways in which those examples can be understood in relation to methodological practice; and c) delineate areas of contention raised by the examples. The connections between the methodological ideas and the examples will be explored further in the seminars. The module includes a significant time allowance for self-directed study. During this time, you will be expected to engage in seminar preparation (for example, by engaging with relevant scholarship). You will be expected to come to the seminars prepared (i.e. having engaged with the lecture and having conducted independent preparatory reading). The major scholarly texts are available from the campus library and electronic library, thereby ensuring that you can access the literature required for seminar work and assessment preparation. You are encouraged to read extensively beyond the taught components of the module.

You will be supported by the module lead; they will introduce the module at the start of the semester and offer advice and guidance throughout. Your learning is mapped out via documentation on Blackboard Ultra, the Northumbria University online electronic learning portal; this is accessible online on and off campus. The e-Learning Portal will include guidance notes and key dates to help you organise and plan your time. It will also include teaching materials, announcements and updates, and detailed information on assessment. You will have a university email that we contact you through.  

 We support your learning by providing on-going feedback (Formative and Summative) through the range of teaching and learning approaches offered. We ask you to submit your work electronically, and we will supply feedback via Turnitin. You will be able to compare your feedback across modules so that you can assess your development as you progress through the programme.

Formative assessment is offered throughout the module, and summative assignments will receive written feedback within 20 working days of assignment submission. Every tutor has set weekly feedback and tutorial drop-in hours, wherein you can seek advice on your academic progress.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

Demonstrate familiarity with key concepts and debates relevant to understanding research across a range of media.

Make connections between devising and developing an independent research project, and the content of your taught programme



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Put into practice the skills required for conducting independent research, including understanding methodology, constructing research questions, critically evaluating different source materials, compiling a literature review, assessing ethical implications, and managing time effectively

Apply these skills and knowledge to the development and planning of an independent research project

Display your ability to develop independent research, apply your critical thinking skills, and highlight the value of these skills in relation to both academic and vocational contexts

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT

To prepare you successfully to undertake the summative assessment(s) on this module, formative assessments will be set by the module team. These may take the form of in-class tasks or projects, developmental activities undertaken between classes, or learning exercises/activities set over a longer period. Feedback (written and/or oral) will be provided to help you learn from, reflect on, and develop in light of these formative assessments.



SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

The summative assessment for this module will be a 3000-word submission of an independent research project proposal. In this, you will develop and refine a research plan that is suitable for a final year dissertation project, taking into account the various methodological considerations covered on the module.



This will include:

- An introduction and summary of the topic

- Your research question(s)

- The central aims of the study and an explanation of key terms and concepts.

- A short Literature Review that situates your research study within its academic field or fields.

- A discussion of your Methodology, and the methods and techniques you intend to use

- An annotated Bibliography of at least 5 key texts you would use as resources.

- An overall Bibliography



You will receive formative feedback from your peers and the module tutor during the seminars throughout the course, allowing you to apprehend how your critical skills are developing. You will receive a detailed commentary and a summative mark on your written work in accordance with the assessment criteria (supplied on the eLP). Under normal circumstances, you will receive written feedback on your summative submissions within 20 working days. The feedback will normally be supplied electronically as part of the ESAF process. This feedback will provide a detailed account of your skills, critical engagement and communicative ability, as well as supporting future learning by indicating areas for development. You can also request additional verbal feedback on your submissions by arranging a meeting with the module tutor.

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Research methods are the strategies, processes or techniques utilised in the collection of data or evidence for analysis in order to uncover new information or create better understanding of a topic. But what do you need to consider when conceiving, researching and realising an extended piece of academic work? Just how are research projects put together? What might be the approaches open to you and how do you decide which is the ‘best’ for you and your research? Your choice of research method will be dictated by a number of factors and this module will help you to understand some of the key approaches that lead to effective, organised and coherent research.