production
Skip to Content

PU5922: MASTERS RESEARCH PROJECT (2025-2026)

Last modified: 38 Minutes ago


Course Overview

This course offers students the opportunity to complete a substantial piece of data-driven, empirical work within their field of study under the supervision of an experienced researcher.

Topics available will be varied but within the domain of their field of study. Alongside supervisors, students will identify a suitable topic area, describe an appropriate study design and implement an empirical study. Students will be involved alongside the supervisors in the process of defining the research question, and developing the research plan and, where appropriate, obtaining regulatory approvals. This course is for non-laboratory based projects (if you are intending to undertake a project in a scientific laboratory setting, you should register on MB5904).

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Third Term Credit Points 60 credits (30 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Ms Susan Elphinstone
  • Dr Smita Dick

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

This course aims to give students direct experience of the management and delivery of a research project, including research planning and design, developing independent research skills and approaches, critical thinking, and communication of research findings.

This course has full-time and part-time options for some students. The 12 week full-time course runs from June to August/September, and the 24 week part-time course runs from June to December. Submission deadlines are different for part-time students.


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2025 for 1st Term courses and 19 December 2025 for 2nd Term courses.

Summative Assessments

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks 4 Feedback Weeks 7

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralApplyDemonstrate practical experience with data collection and management
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate self-direction and critical reflection in planning, solving problems and professional practice, including time-management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication, and teamwork.
ReflectionEvaluateDescribe, justify, and critically reflect on the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis.

Supervisor Report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks 5 Feedback Weeks 8

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Supervisors submit a report based on a marking template. Students will receive feedback within 15 working days of the project completion, this will be in the format of annotations to the marking rubric and additional summary comments will be provided in the feedback box.

If students feel they would benefit from additional feedback, this can be arranged with the marker. Please contact the course coordinators who will arrange this.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralApplyDemonstrate practical experience with data collection and management
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate self-direction and critical reflection in planning, solving problems and professional practice, including time-management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication, and teamwork.

Academic Paper

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 5 Feedback Weeks 8

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

Students are expected to write a 3000 word academic paper and a 250 word abstract.

Students will receive feedback on their final submission within 15 working days of submission, this will be in the format of annotations to the marking rubric and additional summary comments will be provided in the feedback box. If students feel they would benefit from additional feedback, this can be arranged with the marker. Please contact the course coordinators who will arrange this.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreateReview relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement
ConceptualCreateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis to address the identified problem statement
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse, interpret and present project data appropriately
ProceduralApplyDemonstrate practical experience with data collection and management
ProceduralCreateCommunicate project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards
ReflectionEvaluateDescribe, justify, and critically reflect on the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 13,30 Feedback Weeks 14,31

Look up Week Numbers

Feedback

A 10-minute live presentation with supporting slides and 30-minute oral examination to take place in one session.

Students will be provided with key headings for the slides to ensure all aspects of the project are covered to meet the ILOs for the course.

Outcome will be informed (resit pass/resit fail) within five working days of the oral examination, along with the marking scheme and written feedback. This will be communicated to the student by the course coordinator via e-mail. 

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate self-direction and critical reflection in planning, solving problems and professional practice, including time-management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication, and teamwork.
ProceduralCreateCommunicate project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline
ConceptualCreateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis to address the identified problem statement
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse, interpret and present project data appropriately
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards
ProceduralApplyDemonstrate practical experience with data collection and management
ConceptualCreateReview relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement
ReflectionEvaluateDescribe, justify, and critically reflect on the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis.

Compatibility Mode

We have detected that you are have compatibility mode enabled or are using an old version of Internet Explorer. You either need to switch off compatibility mode for this site or upgrade your browser.