Independent Scholarly Activity

This is an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and understanding gained from the taught modules within your programme of study to a specific research based investigation. You will have the opportunity to apply initiative, creative thinking and organisational skills to a specific topic within your MSc programme of study. Early on in the module, emphasis will be placed on the research skills necessary to execute an independent, investigative study. You will be expected to devise a research proposal and then execute the study over a given time frame. 

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate initiative and critical thinking skills in selecting a problem for investigation and identifying appropriate methodologies for their implementation
• Critically evaluate existing literature in the field of enquiry
• Collect, interpret and critically evaluate primary/secondary data and discuss its significance in the context of the investigation and of related studies.

Topics covered may include:

• Literature review techniques
• Critical review of scientific literature
• Questionnaire design
• Statistical methods of hypothesis testing
• Data interpretation
• Thesis structure, organisation and presentation
• Health and safety implications
• Ethical issues and studies.