Modiwl HPS-4004:
Research Skills
Research Skills 2024-25
HPS-4004
2024-25
School Of History, Law And Social Sciences
Module - Semester 2
40 credits
Module Organiser:
Peter Shapely
Overview
Indicative List
1a. Introduction to the module. Starting your dissertation – the grant proposal
1b. Grant proposal – discussing your topics
Archives
2a Lecture – an introduction to the archives sector
2b. Worksop – visit to the North Wales Archive
Applied History
3a. Writing for the public
3b. History and policy
Heritage Trail
4a. Introduction to the topic and history of heritage tours
4b. Types and scope of heritage trails
5a. Tour of Bangor University (students to critique)
5b. Assessment, methodology and guidance.
Oral history project
7a. The history and context of oral history
7b. Doing oral history: interviews and ethics
8a. Oral history in action c. 1900-1970s
8b. Oral history in action c. 1970s until today
9a. Introduction to data sets in Excel coding exercises and project introduction
9b. Introduction to coding
10a. Coding exercises and project introduction
10b. Teaching History
Public History
11a. Lecture - approaches to Public History
11b. Workshop - on-site workshop with a local history
Students will also be expected to attend at least three sessions from the School's Research Seminar series.
Assessment Strategy
-good -Students who receive a mark ranging between B- and B+ will compile a bibliography meeting the criteria above, but perhaps also containing some unusual or very recent items, which would suggest effective and imaginative use of finding aids. Their literature search should also show good critical acumen. Their research proposal will be adequate as a foundation for a dissertation – but may also include perceptive understandings of the state of the chosen field, imaginative choices of primary material, or full understandings of the possible problems (as well as the strengths) of the chosen methodology. They will speak clearly and will establish eye contact with the audience in their presentation, using the time and materials sensibly to convey a clear case. In evaluating the research seminar paper, they will engage with historiography or archaeology, as applicable, but such an engagement may not be consistently sustained throughout, or may be lacking critical engagement.
-excellent -Students who achieve A- and above will produce correct bibliographies with an excellent critical literature search demonstrating an understanding of a very high standard, and a fully effective research proposal which suggest a research project of great insight or significance as well as originality. They will produce and explain a cogent piece of work using relevant forms of presentation with clarity and precision as well as demonstrate visual aids of a professional standard. Strong and consistent critical engagement with historiography or archaeology in their critique of a research seminar paper.
-Threshold -Students who receive a mark ranging between C- to C+ will compile a bibliography of primary and secondary sources in the relevant area and present it correctly and write a literature search with adequate critical comment, and they will assemble a research proposal likely to serve as the foundation of a solid academic dissertation. They will show some awareness of the audience and of the methods required to engage people, but will still lack fluidity or content. In evaluating the research seminar paper, they will critically interrogate it, without, however, engaging with relevant historiography or archaeology.
Learning Outcomes
- Acquire an in-depth knowledge and the ability to critically evaluate secondary and primary material in a chosen scholarly area.
- Be able to place research within a broader framework of historiography.
- Construct a plan for a manageable research project to produce a substantial and original piece of historical investigation and analysis.
- Develop an independent research question and evaluate its significance to historiography .
- Formulate and test a hypothesis for an original research project.
- Organise own learning through self-management and work to deadlines.
- Present complex ideas in a coherent and accessible form and report to a professional standard.
- Produce a critical literature search relevant to the dissertation with a correctly set out bibliography.
- Write for a wider non-academic readership (eg history magazines, giving evidence/context for government, etc.,).
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Topic one
Weighting
30%
Due date
12/05/2023
Assessment method
Written Plan/Proposal
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Dissertation research proposal
Weighting
30%
Due date
12/05/2023
Assessment method
Essay
Assessment type
Summative
Description
Topic two
Weighting
30%
Due date
12/05/2023
Assessment method
Logbook Or Portfolio
Assessment type
Summative
Description
A workbook demonstrating understanding of field applicable skills based on a series of workshops delivered during lectures, for example digital archiving.
Weighting
10%