Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
|Assessment length / details
|Dissertation (12 – 15,000 words)
|Dissertation (12 – 15,000 words)
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Independently formulate research design and hypotheses.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical principles of scientific research.
3. Place research in appropriate wider contexts.
4. Search relevant literature and databases.
5. Demonstrate proficiency in appropriate data collection and analysis techniques.
6. Present the results and conclusions of their research in a coherent manner in the form of a professionally produced dissertation.
7. Work to a tight schedule.
The research project is an independent study on a chosen research question relating to environmental change, impact and adaptation. Students will have the possibility to specialise in the use of specific technique(s) in order to solve particular research questions. These can be drawn from the social sciences or from the physical sciences and involved field and laboratory work. In some cases, projects may be related to research interests of staff or involve collaboration with external bodies.
The process is divided into several key stages:
•Devise research enquiry.
•Complete necessary background reading.
•Complete necessary field and laboratory work (where appropriate).
•Complete written dissertation.
|Application of Number
|The dissertation may involve the collection and analysis of primary data. In which case students will organise their data using databases, analyse data with appropriate statistical techniques and present sometimes complex quantitative datasets using graphs and tables.
|Written communication is assessed through the submission of the dissertation.
|Improving own Learning and Performance
|Students will undertake a significant amount of self-directed study, including extensive reading, field and laboratory work. In order to complete the research on time, students need to demonstrate good time management.
|Students will be expected to use a range of information technology in the generation of their dissertations and in the oral presentation of their work. Students will become familiar with the critical use of online source materials such as journals and policy documents. Some students may choose to use GIS software or freely available remote sensing data as part of their research. Others may wish to use Excel or statistical packages to interrogate databases, generate analyses and graphical outputs.
|Personal Development and Career planning
|The dissertation will develop high level skills in synthesising, evaluating and presenting complex information. The presentation of information, orally and in the dissertation are key components of the module. This is useful preparatory experience for PhD research, and positions in environmental consultancies, conservation groups, the Environment Agency and the newly formed Natural Resources Wales.
|Students are expected to define a research problem and to devise an appropriate strategy to solve the problem.
|Research skills are integral to the dissertation as it is based on research enquiry. All students will develop a range of research skills, dependent on the nature of their topic.
|Subject Specific Skills
|This will depend on the topic of the dissertation.
|This is an independent project and teamwork is only anticipated if safety considerations in the field demand it.
This module is at CQFW Level 7