Accessibility statement

Professional & Transferable Skills - RSS00004M

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  • Department: Research Centre for Social Sciences
  • Module co-ordinator: Information currently unavailable
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
    • See module specification for other years: 2021-22

Module summary

This module will provide students with general research and transferable skills that are fundamental to the discipline of Social Sciences that will allow them to go on to further study or pursue a career in the social sciences arena.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

The primary aim of the module is to provide students with general research and transferable skills required to undertake and deliver high quality social science research. It is designed to cover the practical aspects of conducting research from funding and ethical applications through to dissemination of research findings and the role of knowledge transfer and research impact in accordance with the ESRC guidelines.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of the module a student should be able to demonstrate:

  • Competency in bibliographic and computing skills
  • A thorough understanding of the ethical implications of conducting research
  • An ability to communicate their research through different modes of presentation and to different audiences
  • An understanding of knowledge transfer and impact and it's importance in social research
  • Knowledge of opportunities for research funding

Module content

The module will be delivered in a series of workshops across two terms that will be co-ordinated by the module leader.

The sessions will cover:

  • How to search literature and the different databases that are available across disciplines
  • How to conduct research ethically - the ethical journey from research proposal through to ethical approval, consent and dissemination
  • Knowledge transfer - how does it relate to a students own research
  • Research impact - what is it, why is it important and how can it be achieved
  • Communicating to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • Preparing funding proposals

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Lay Summary		 N/A 40
Essay/coursework
Research Proposal		 N/A 60

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The module will be assessed by a portfolio related to their specific area of interest that will include the following. For part A, students will develop a research proposal. For part B, students will put together a dissemination plan and prepare a lay summary of their work or some related research.

Formative work will be embedded within the workshops. For example students will work in groups and will be provided with examples of lay person summaries, impact statements, and grant applications which they will review and critique. There will also be opportunities for peer review of work towards the portfolio.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Lay Summary		 N/A 40
Essay/coursework
Research Proposal		 N/A 60

Module feedback

Feedback on summative work will be provided in a timely manner and in accordance with the University's policy on assessment and feedback

Indicative reading

Aldridge, J. & Derrington, A. (2012). The Research Funding Toolkit. London: Sage.

Cottrell (2017). Critical thinking skills. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

ESRC (2015) Framework for Research Ethics. https://esrc.ukri.org/files/funding/guidance-for-applicants/esrc-framework-for-research-ethics-2015/

Flynn, L. R., & Goldsmith, R. E. (2012). Case studies for ethics in academic research in the social sciences. Sage.

Hammersley & Traianou (2015). Ethics in qualitative research: Controversies and contexts. London: Sage.

Wray, A. & Wallace, M. (2011). Critical reading and writing for postgraduates. London: Sage.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.