KB7068 - Research Methods

Active learning sessions will allow you to engage with and appraise specialist knowledge, and assist you in exploring and critiquing key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to complex and authentic engineering problems.?A problem-solving focused curriculum will allow you to explore and analyse solutions to complex challenges where wide-ranging and conflicting constraints require innovative discovery and enterprise. Learning activities will enable students to work collaboratively?and practice and reflect upon the effectiveness?of teamwork and communication skills, and the facilitation of creative thinking approaches to solve open-ended engineering problems.

During your active learning sessions, academic support will be available to facilitate your exploration of the problem-solving activities. Formative feedback will be provided by the module team, including answering student queries and providing guidance concerning the module such as assessments and your academic progress. The electronic learning platform (eLP) provides a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning. Contact with academic tutors and your peers outside formal teaching hours is encouraged through dedicated ‘office hours’, discussion boards and messaging systems within the eLP. Professional support staff, such as Ask4Help, provide the first point of contact for a range of queries, including, for example, those concerning assessment submission, late submission/extensions, and other administrative issues.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

MLO1. Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed. (M3)



MLO2. Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems. (M4)



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:


MLO3. Apply appropriate design solutions and quality management systems in complex problem solving and continuous improvement, meeting relevant standards (e.g. health safety, EDI, environmental). (M5)



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):


MLO4. Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and nontechnical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used. (M17)



MLO5. Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance. (M16)

Formative Assessment

Academic staff on the module will assess you in a formative manner to help build your confidence and highlight any improvements required to meet the MLOs. Your formative feedback will be given to you either verbally by academic staff on the module during formally scheduled teaching sessions or using the eLP. Your formative feedback aims to help you learn and prepare for the submission of your summative assessment.

Summative Assessment


Academic staff on the module will assess you in a summative manner by two pieces of assessment


Component 1. Individual reflection report (2500 words or equivalent) on group activities in research project planning and management that will meet MLOs 1, 3, 5.


Component 2. Individual report (3500 words or equivalent) on responsible research planning and execution activities that will meet MLO 1, 2, 3, and 4.


Feedback will be provided electronically through the eLP within 20 working days of the date of submission.

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Throughout the world of engineering, and technology, the ability to pursue research is seen as a pre-requisite for professional development and career progression. This module will introduce you to the nature, approaches, and processes of research. You will consider key elements of a complete research project cycle from need identification, proposing and planning stage to the completion and outcomes evaluation stage. Typical learning activities include but not limited to engineering management, qualitative and/or quantitative research methods development, communication of research ideas and results, risks and constraints analysis in legislation, security, economics, energy, materials, equipment, and environmental impact. Active learning sessions will allow you to engage with and appraise specialist material and assist you in exploring and critiquing key concepts and topics within the module. The module utilises the electronic learning platform (eLP) to provide a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning.