Overview

On this module, students will form working partnerships with companies outside the university, and work alongside them to develop and deliver a project that uses the skills that they have learnt during their degree. Students must find their own external partner, and are free to work with companies within the creative industries, or companies in other industries that are seeking to use creative techniques to develop their business. Under the guidance of their supervisor, the student will work to meet a brief set by the employer, and complete a critical evaluation of their work.

This module provides students with an opportunity to study the skills and methodologies necessary to the production of a piece of critical research and/or research by practice, and to carry out a sustained research project with the support of an individual supervisor within the context of an industrial partner's brief.

Students will be expected to provide the company partner themselves, (rather than be assigned one by the school).

Students will provide an initial one-page resaerch proposal in response to the company brief.

There will be a series of 12 workshops during the two semesters to prepare the students with research skills and support in reporting on the results of a major research project.

Students will meet with their supervisor on a regular basis during the two semesters.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -(D) Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows: • Generally accurate but with omissions and errors. • Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning. • Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions. • Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

-good -(B) Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates: • Very good structure and logically developed arguments. • Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. • Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning. • Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

-excellent -(A) Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways: • Has originality of exposition with the student's own thinking being readily apparent. • Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study. • Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

-another level-(C) Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates: • Good structure and logically developed arguments. • At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. • Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and sound reasoning. • Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply a range of study skills and methodologies appropriate to research in the Arts and Humanities.

• Critically examine the needs of an industrial partner within a set of cultural, social, institutional, economic and/or critical frameworks.

• Define a coherent research question, and design and implement a programme of study to investigate this question.

• Develop a relationship with an industrial partner, gaining industry insights and enhancing your future employment skills.

• Work independently to deadline over a sustained period of time.