RESEARCH METHODS AND PROPOSAL - 2020/1

Module Overview

This module provides you with an opportunity to develop the necessary academic research skills required for you to complete your digital media arts dissertation module at the end of your course of study. It will introduce you to the traditions and processes of research associated with the study of digital media. It will also provide you with an opportunity to critique these traditions through an exploration of their epistemology and research methods. In doing so, it will require you to apply the ideas you encounter as you develop the initial stages of your own project. This initial phase of your project will be presented in the form of a research proposal at the end of this module.  

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

POULAKI Maria (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introductory sessions on research and independent learning


• Epistemology


• Research Methods


• Research skills, time management and project development


• Proposal Writing


• Individual tutorials.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of research methods and processes appropriate for study of digital media, and to apply them in a proposal that will form the basis of their dissertation in semester two. In this respect the assessment is also intended to allow them to learn about knowledge management and design on an individual level through self -organisation and research practice.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Examination by Coursework: Proposal 100% (2000 words)

Formative assessment and feedback

The devising and drafting proposal assessment will serve as formative activity and will be followed by feedback to assess progress in the tutorial sessions. This formative activity will also help students to gauge the work required for the final proposal, and troubleshoot any issues at an early stage if required. Students will also be required to attend tutorials, and to informally present or discuss aspects of their work (depending on time frame) during the later seminars.

Module aims

• • Allow students to move beyond a prescribed course of study in order to propose their own ideas in an academic manner.
• • Provide students with an opportunity to develop their knowledge of research methods appropriate for the study of digital media
• • Provide students with the opportunity to evaluate the appropriate use of these methods
• • Consolidate the student’s knowledge of digital media and its critical theoretical significance, as appropriate to a student at this level
• • Enable students to pursue elements of their academic career which are of specific interest to them
• • Present their initial research work in a written proposal that is analytical, critical and theoretically-informed

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Enable students to develop an appropriate level of knowledge of research methods to allow them to conduct independent study of digital media

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures x 1 hour seminar x 2 weeks


• Seminars x 1 hour seminar x 9 weeks


• Tutorials x 6 (mandatory) per student – approx 30 mins, including discussion of the Proposal.

Preliminary lectures and seminars will prepare students for the proposal assessment by providing them with research method case studies. In subsequent weeks, students will present their proposed projects and critically evaluate them through informal peer assessment and advice. This formative evaluation will then be developed in the tutorials which will help students to focus their work, provide an opportunity for feedback and assertain any issues or troubleshooting requirements.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: DMA3016

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.