To develop broad-ranging knowledge of research methods philosophy, design, ethics and practice related to research in the arts, humanities and social sciences

To familiarise students with a range of methods and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of media, culture and everyday life

To develop practical and critical-creative skills that help foster flexibility and reflexivity in research design and in the undertaking of large-scale research projects in the arts and humanities

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

(LO2) Students will gain familiarity in research methods and approaches tailored for advanced level research and scholarship in media, culture and everyday life

(LO3) Students will develop requisite practical knowledge and critical-creative skills necessary for the undertaking and successful completion of large-scale research projects in the arts and humanities

(S1) Information and research skills - Critical reading

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Critical analysis and dissemination

(S3) Time and project management - Project planning

The module content will be delivered in a series of workshops themed around specific subject-areas. This revised syllabus incorporates content that was formerly covered in the sessions (weeks 1-4) that were shared and delivered to all postgraduate programmes.

The revised syllabus will include sessions that address the following methods and approaches:

Introduction to module: 'what is research?'
Research methodologies: philosophical principles and frameworks
Research in practice: understanding primary and secondary research and analysis
Research ethics – issues, policy, best practice
Writing culture – ethnography and autoethnography
Archiveology – archival practices as critical, creative and historiographical interventions
Sensory and affective methods – embodiment, phenomenology, non-representational methods
Visual methods – elicitation, semiotics, textual analysis, discourse analysis, photo-roman
Microhistory and everyday life – subaltern and postcolonial histories, micro-data
Beyond method - embracing the creative messiness of research, research as bricolage, experimental methods, creative and ‘uncreative; writing

Summary of Learning and Teaching Methods:
Teaching method: workshop
Description: weekly lecture combined with interactive discussion
Schedule directed student hours: 36
Unscheduled directed student hours: 114
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 majority of teaching will be delivered face to face on campus. Online delivery will be used to complement the on campus delivery and where technology affords a better learning experience.