This module is designed as an introduction to the different aspects that comprise biomedical research, allowing students to gain critical thinking, effective communication and study design skills that will prepare the students to undertake and direct a significant research project.
The aims of this module are to further develop the research, study and time management skills you will need for a substantial independent research investigation.
The purpose of this module is to help you prepare your Masters dissertation in Languages & Cultures or Translation & Professional Communication Skills, including the oral presentation that forms part of its assessment. The emphasis is on skills required for a formal oral presentation, and for writing a dissertation on any topic within the scope of the MA Languages & Cultures and MA Translation & Professional Communication Skills programmes (processing, analysing, and evaluating theoretical frameworks and research methods; formulating research questions; articulating and organising ideas; developing and structuring an argument; processing, analysing and evaluating research sources; bibliographical skills; presentation and editing). Particular attention will be paid to helping you develop the ability to evaluate and revise your own work. Other skills (such as the gathering, processing, and analysis of archival and linguistic sources) may also be covered, depending on your dissertation topic. Attention will be given to making you sensitive to the dynamics of collaborative research as well as of the requirements of individual research. This module also helps to prepare you for the next stage in your career, whether you are continuing with postgraduate study at the MPhil and/or PhD level, or entering employment. You will learn to identify your intellectual and practical strengths so that you can maximise their potential.
The research skills module will help you to prepare your ISM project (Sem 2) through informed thinking and reading and the preparation of an annotated bibliography and feasibility report at the end of Semester 1.
A range of skills are required for those wishing to work in the realm of remote sensing and spatial analysis. This module will help develop your skills base with regard to academic skills as well as those of particular value to further research and/or employment. The skills will be developed within the context of topics in remote sensing and spatial analysis. This module builds on the academic and practical skills developed in GGES6021 but places greater emphasis on group project work. This will focus on a research proposal chosen by your group which employs geospatial technologies and analysis. Written work will be divided into (i) a Literature Review and (ii) a Research Grant Application. Projects will involve working effectively both as individuals and in a team. Groups will need to provide a pitch-style presentation delivered in a Pecha Kucha format to introduce and outline their idea for the research proposal. Formative feedback will be given for this presentation to help shape each group’s final research grant application.
This module will introduce you to key concepts underlying a broad range of biomedical research methodology. The module will focus on developing your understanding of what a research hypothesis is and what hypothesis testing is, how it is structured with aims and learning outcomes, how you construct a research hypothesis yourself and develop it into a research proposal. The module will also develop your understanding of various appropriate statistical methodologies including data distribution, confidence intervals, significance testing, data manipulation, parametric and non-parametric tests, sample size and power calculations, correlation and regression, ANOVA and multiplicity. During the module you will also study methods of organising data sets and consider how to present data and statistical findings appropriately. The course is taught through a combination of lectures and interactive sessions using computer workstations. Practical examples of datasets derived from research groups within the Faculty will be used to provide context to the theoretical aspects of the course. You will be taught how to use both SPSS and Graphpad PRISM for both statistical analysis and presentation of data. At the end of this module, you should understand how to analyse a variety of types of data, and to be able to evaluate the analysis of data in published research.
This module will build on key components of Research Skills in Biomedical Sciences 1 (MEDI6049) where students learn to develop a research hypothesis and project in addition to statistical methodology. This module will enable students to gain understanding and develop the skills required to design and write up a research proposal for their three year PhD project proposal. You will construct a research hypothesis for your PhD project and develop this into a research proposal including a background section, statement of the problem, research hypothesis with aims and objectives, what types of data will be collected,organising data sets and consider how to analyse these, present the data and statistical findings appropriately and what research impact these findings might have The course is taught through a combination of initial lectures with interactive sessions and presentations based on your first rotation project, prospective meetings with your PhD project supervisor to discuss the development of your proposal and mainly independent study. At the end of this module, you should understand how to analyse a variety of types of data, and to be able to evaluate the analysis of data in published research.
This module prepares you for your own research work. The module will examine the process of writing a structured essay on a topic related to the dissertation project, formulating a research proposal, identifying the problems this may pose and the benefits it may bring. It will also give you practice in conducting bibliographical searches and analyses. The module will further familiarise you with the facilities offered by the library and with internet resources. Through the seminars, the module will give you an opportunity to articulate, discuss and evaluate your developing thoughts on possible dissertation themes.
Trainees will identify a core research topic that will form the basis of their research thesis. The thesis will need to include a review relevant theoretical, empirical and professional practice literatures and trainees will be required to generate clearly defined research questions and select appropriate research methods for data collection and analysis. Trainees will engage with the implications of their proposed research for educational psychology science and practice, and associated ethical implications. Trainees will gain experience of managing a research project and research budget. Towards the end of year 1 trainees will be supported by the Research Director to identify a team of supervisors (one of whom must be a member of Academic Staff in the School Psychology) who will provide research supervision and guidance throughout the thesis. Trainees work with their supervisory team to develop a research proposal that provides a clear rationale for the project, identifies testable research questions and hypotheses (if appropriate) or clear research questions and aims, and specifies the participants, methods of data collection and analysis as well as data storage via a Data Management Plan. The research proposal is submitted in December of Yr 2 for approval by supervisors and with oversight of the module coordinator. Following approval, trainees conduct a risk assessment and submit the final project plans for approval by the University of Southampton Ethics and Research Governance Office (ERGO) (trainees are responsible for also checking whether any external ethics committees and/or R&D departments where appropriate). Data collection and analysis is completed throughout years 2 and 3. The written thesis takes the form of a two paper thesis – a systematic review and an empirical study written in publishable form, with a substantiative introduction that demonstrates understanding of the broader field in which the research is situated. The thesis is submitted towards the end of Sem 2 Yr 3. Trainees present their thesis findings at the annual Postgraduate Research Conference (June, Yr 3), and for viva in the summer of Yr 3. Trainees subsequently amend their thesis in accordance with the examiner reports and archive the ratified thesis with the Graduate School and on efolio. Where appropraite, trainees are asked to prepare their research for submission to a suitable peer-reviewed journal prior to completing the Programme.
This module forms the final year of their Astrophysics with a Year of Research degree. The student will have completed a significant research project, ideally of publishable quality, under the guidance of a supervisor from the Astronomy Group at the University of Southampton
This module forms the final year of their Astrophysics with a Year Abroad MPhys degree. The student will have completed a significant research project, ideally of publishable quality, under the guidance of a supervisor from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
In this module you will develop your understanding of the research process and how research and evaluation underpin contemporary marketing. The module is designed to equip you with an understanding of the importance of conducting ethical research and gathering insight which assists organisations in their decision-making. This module introduces you to the broad range of different research methodologies and techniques, exploring problem definition, literature review, methodological justification, ethical considerations, analysis and reporting of findings. It highlights the importance of being able to make a justified choice of methodological practices and the importance of an ethical research perspective. The aim of the module is to prepare you to undertake your own research projects and will be particularly useful for your Final Major Project.
The aims of this module are to (i) engage students in a critical debate on the transformations, challenges and potentials that ageing societies face and (ii) discuss the research methods, data and ethical implications involved in contemporary research of older people. The module will combine critical assessment of contemporary issues relevant to ageing societies with discussion of the application of different research methods, ethical issues and research impact considerations to researching older people.
Students will gain an understanding of the individual, social, economic and political implications of population ageing by examining substantive and research methods issues pertinent to ageing and older people, such as end-of-life care or service provision. They will gain an appreciation of the diverse meanings and experiences of ageing over the lifecourse by examining ageing through the lenses of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic group and sexual identity, and discussing the methods, data, ethical implications and research impact opportunities of conducting empirical research on such issues.
Archaeological knowledge is generated through research, whether undertaken in an academic, commercial, public or private environment. As students, you are recipients of the knowledge gained through research, and you will also participate in the research process through involvement in fieldwork and the production of your Dissertation. But how does research happen? Who does research? Who consumes research? How is it funded or supported? What are the constraints and ethical issues encountered while undertaking research? Most critical of all, what makes good archaeological research? In this module we guide you through the archaeological and heritage research process, from planning, to implementation, and final dissemination through publication and other media. This will be achieved by introducing you to a range of real-life research projects, drawing upon the diverse and rich experience gained by departmental staff and external researchers. Looking back and looking forward, the module will aid your understanding of the fieldwork you may have participated in during the Field and Practice module, and help in guiding you through the process of researching and writing your Final Year Dissertation.
This module introduces students to a range of concepts, approaches and data collection methods in human geography.
This module will introduce you to solving real world problems in the area of Language, Culture and Communication with research methods including forms of discourse analysis, questionnaires, interviews and narrative inquiry. You will reflect on some key issues such as the nature of knowledge, theory and data. This will allow you to critically evaluate studies and their research methods, and to design your own study or intervention. You will also discuss practical challenges of designing and conducting research such as defining research questions, identifying appropriate methods, research management and problem solving, writing up research, ethical issues, presenting research and thinking reflexively about research. You will also be introduced to the option of producing a professional project as an alternative to the traditional dissertation.
This module aims to prepare you for the rest of the programme and so it is intended that you will develop study skills that will support you in concurrent and subsequent modules. You can expect to develop your knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the interaction between learning, learning theory and learning contexts. It will give you opportunities to articulate your own approaches to learning and consider the range of ways in which learners and teachers can influence this process. You will be encouraged to be critical and analytical.
This module enables you to build on your research skills in preparation for running your own research in part 3. Building on the research skills learnt in part 1, you will work in small groups to first refine a broad research question into a testable and focussed question. You will then design and plan a field data collection campaign, with responsibility for all logistic organisation as well as ensuring the data collected enables you to address the research question. Finally, whilst on our residential field course, you will carry out the data collection before presenting your findings as a poster to the rest of the group. After working through this process, you will reflect on the challenges you faced, successes you achieved, and how you can put this learning into practice when working on your dissertation.
The Period abroad Portfolio is a piece of independent academic work which you complete during your period abroad. The Portfolio comprises of an extended essay in English on a topic relating to either cultural and literary studies, linguistics, social and political studies or history and a recorded oral presentation in the target language based on reflective questionnaires relating to your language learning and intercultural development.
This module addresses the main economic problems arising in the management and allocation of natural resources, with a particular focus on energy and the constraints that the natural environment represents for economic growth. It combines economic theory, including a presentation of the most recent advancements in the field, a critical analysis of the existing empirical evidence, and a study of the effects of different policy interventions.
The module will start with an introductory session on common research techniques used in Biomedical Science. This will be followed by sessions covering the following topics: 1. Asthma (2 sessions) 2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 3. Interstitial Lung Disease (2 sessions) 4. Primary Ciliary Dyskinesis 5. Air pollution (2 sessions) The sessions will combine a seminar and general discussion in order to clarify any points and to frame any questions arising from the lecture that the students find interesting. Prior to each topic, a relevant primary research publication and supporting documentation that exemplifies research in the subject area will be provided. Students should read the paper prior to attending the session and pay particular attention to the methods section to ensure they are familiar with the basic principles of the techniques and/or any confusing abbreviations used. Methodological queries will be discussed at the session. For topics 1, 3 and 5, one or more students, depending on class numbers, will be designated to prepare an oral presentation on the selected paper for the following week. The presentation will comprise the paper and background questions arising from the article or the seminar. All students will be expected to join in the discussion of the paper during and after the presentation, although only those students who are presenting will be assessed. Presenting students will be expected to research other articles to introduce concepts in the paper. All students will be expected to research other articles to bring to the general discussion of the selected paper. For topics 2 and 4, all students will write a critical appraisal of a selected paper stating the hypothesis and summarising the background, results and conclusions with comment on strengths, weaknesses and any new questions arising as a consequence of the paper. There will be no oral presentation for these topics.
This module will explore contemporary and post-war responses to the Holocaust more than 75 years after the liberation of Auschwitz. We will explore a range of responses to the genocide and look at: diaries, oral histories, literature, film, museums and music. During the module, we will explore the responses of those targeted for genocide and the post-war memory of these events among survivors, in intellectual circles and the political world. During the first half of the module, we will explore victims' responses. We will focus on victims' experiences of everyday life, including life in ghettos and camps and look at cultural and religious life, efforts to document what they were witnessing, and resistance. In the second half of the module, we will look at some external responses to the genocide, beginning with the Allied responses during the war and later looking at museums and memorials in Europe, Israel, and the United States. We will engage with topics such as the resistance of victim groups, questioning if the Allied government did enough to help, how we commemorate and memorialise a genocide and how this commemoration changes in different countries.
