1. To foster a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles that underpin and the main elements that comprise an academic research project (research design, philosophy, ethics, practice)

2. To outline a range of research methods in screen media studies research informed by arts, humanities and cultural studies approaches

3. To enable students to understand and critique the methodological approaches used within the interdisciplinary environment of screen studies

4. To train students to identify the most appropriate methods for any given research topic in the field of screen studies

5. To develop transferable skills (devising a research project, presenting and justifying it to your peers, locating and retrieving area specific sources, writing it up as an advanced piece of research)

(LO1) Students will acquire broad foundational knowledge of research methods design, research philosophy and research ethics policy and practice.

(LO2) Student will demonstrate knowledge of a variety of methods in screen media studies research informed by arts, humanities and cultural studies approaches

(LO3) Students will be able to understand, evaluate and critique methodological approaches used within the interdisciplinary environment of screen studies

(LO4) Students will be able to choose the most appropriate methods for a research project they will develop with the field of screen studies

(S1) Devising a research project, presenting and justifying it to your peers, locating and retrieving area specific sources, writing it up as an advanced piece of research

(S2) Identifying and accessing area specific sources of information and materials

(S3) Developing literacy in terms of an ability to produce clear, structured written work

(S4) Developing proficiency in using digital resources and tools for research as required by the chosen project

The module content will be delivered in three blocks of lectures. The first of these (weeks 1-4) is delivered to all PGT students registered on Communication and Media programmes and provides broad foundational knowledge required for research methods design, philosophy and pathway towards preparation of a research project proposal, which is the common assessment across all Communication and Media PGT programmes.

BLOCK ONE (Fundamental Concepts and Principles)
Week 1 – Introduction to module: 'what is research?'
Week 2 – Research methodologies: philosophical principles and frameworks
Week 3 – Research in practice: understanding primary and secondary research and analysis
Week 4 – Research ethics – issues, policy, best practice

BLOCK TWO (Arts, Humanities and Models of Analysis)
Week 5 – Research in Arts and Humanities: Theory, Text, Context
Week 6 – Semiotics and Visual Analysis
Week 7 – Independent study week
Week 8 – Analysing Games

BLOCK THREE (Beyond the text)
Week 9 – Approaching Television as Historical Archive
Week 10 – Audience research and fan studies
Week 11 – From Political Economy to Media Industry Studies
Week 12 – Introduction to Dissertation

Summary of Learning and Teaching Methods:
Teaching method: workshop
This activity may be online or on campus and could be subject to changes.
Description: weekly lecture combined with interactive discussion
Schedule directed student hours: 24
Unscheduled directed student hours: 126
Attendance recorded: YES
Notes:
Description of how self-directed learning hours may be used: reading module learning materials (key and suggested literature, lecture slides, additional reference material provided); assessment preparation

The module will be taught in the form of a two hour workshop combining a 1 hour lecture which will focus on particular aspects of research design and methodologies with a 1 hour interactive discussion that will follow up on key issues raised by the module and will demonstrate ways through which to research screen media.