Research Project

This Level 6 core module provides an opportunity for students to work independently under supervision on a substantial piece of written work which might include a practical component or be a practice based research project. The module offers an opportunity for students to present the results of their research in a conference setting or in a formal performance, screening setting.

Students will be able to exercise and deploy knowledge and skills acquired in earlier levels of their programmes in PASS by focussing on a specific topic in dance, drama, film and television, media or music. Using both primary and secondary sources, students will define and undertake a research project with the aim of producing a dissertation or practice-based research on an agreed topic. Students will be permitted to undertake research in inter-disciplinary areas such as dance on screen, choreography and philosophy, cyber dance or multi media performances.

• To build on students' knowledge and skills acquired at earlier levels of their degree
• To facilitate an indepth study of a specified research topic in dance, drama, film and television or music 
• To develop students' written and / or presentation skills in producing a piece of research using a recognisable theoretical framework

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of contemporary theory and research methodologies in relation to the chosen area of study.
• Work with complex ideas and justify judgements made through effective use of evidence.
• Demonstrate an ability to sustain, construct and debate complex arguments, to critique contradictory information and demonstrate excellent writing skills and an enhanced capability to organise written arguments. 
• Show an ability to organise themselves effectively, agreeing and setting realistic targets and accessing support when appropriate.
• Demonstrate an ability to search for and select relevant sources of information.

• Practical advice on determining the topic of the dissertation.
• Identification of primary and secondary sources.
• Identification of appropriate conceptual frameworks and theoretical perspectives.
• Practice based research methods and approaches.
• Practical advice on how to construct a coherent argument.
• Guidance on how to structure, organise, plan and write up research, including advice on writing introductions, conclusions, abstracts, and bibliographies.
• Practical advice on time management.
• Practical advice on the presentation of research outcomes in a conference setting.

In the early part of the module, students will be required to attend research skills seminars on identifying research areas and topics, selecting and assessing relevant sources and constructing a proposal, as well as on research methods and academic writing skills and conventions. .

Students will have the opportunity to present their research ideas orally in the first few weeks of the module and will then be assessed formatively through the submission of an annotated bibliography and a written research proposal. Preparation of the dissertation includes tutorials with a supervisor, supplemented by email correspondence, and small group tutorials where students have opted to do conference presentation or include a practical element  as part of the assessment.

The content, form and weighting should be determined by the proposal and in conjunction with the dissertation tutor. 

This module will address the following key skills: creativity and problem solving, self-awareness, and research.  These will be developed through a number of activities including small group and class discussion, individual tutorials, presentations and written and research tasks.

The assessment strategy is designed to test the ability to meet the module's learning outcomes. The presentation of the research ideas will be formatively assessed. An annotated bibliography and a written dissertation proposalwill also be formatively assessed. The word count of the summative assessment will vary according to the nature of the research undertaken:

• The written essay of 4,000 words will be summatively assessed.
• The dissertation will be shorter (2,000 words) when students opt to do a 15-minute conference presentation or a practice-based research project as part of the summative assessment.