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PU5922: MASTERS RESEARCH PROJECT (2021-2022)

Last modified: 31 May 2022 13:05


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 to be completed within a laboratory setting.  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 MB5913)

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Session Third Sub Session Credit Points 60 credits (30 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Kirsty Kiezebrink

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

  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

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. 


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

Project Report/Dissertation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
Assessment Weeks 53 Feedback Weeks 2

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Feedback

Students are expected to write a 3000-word academic paper, with instructions, layout and referencing guidelines provided.

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.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis to address the identified problem statement
ConceptualCreateReview relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis
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

Oral Presentation: Individual

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 51 Feedback Weeks 53

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Feedback

Students are asked to complete a 10-minute oral presentation on their initial results, followed with a 5-minute question and answer session.

Students receive feedback in the form of questions from staff and peers during the presentation session which will indicate areas for more clarification. The feedback procedure is meant as an opportunity to support students in considering the interpretation of your results for your academic paper / report. Additional feedback in the format of annotations to the marking rubric will be available within 10 working days 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.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse, interpret and present project data appropriately
ProceduralCreateCommunicate project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards

Lab Book

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 53 Feedback Weeks 2

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Feedback

Students are expected to write a research journal weekly in myaberdeen throughout their project. They submit a 500-word summary as a final journal submission.

Course tutors will review the content of the journals at week 5 of the project and provide guidance on the style and content. This acts as formative feedback and should be used to inform students subsequent entries.

Students will receive feedback on your 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.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis
ProceduralApplyDemonstrate practical experience with data collection and management
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate professional practice in the management of research project including time-management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication and team work

Supervisor Report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 53 Feedback Weeks 53

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Feedback

Supervisors submit a report based on a marking template. Students will receive feedback within 10 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.

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 professional practice in the management of research project including time-management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication and team work

Formative Assessment

Project Plan, Summary or Abstract

Assessment Type Formative Weighting 0
Assessment Weeks 41 Feedback Weeks 43

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Feedback

Students will receive feedback based on the written protocol rubric and peer review comments (available on MyAberdeen).  

After submission of the project plan students will be assigned two peers’ submissions to review and provide feedback on, and will be expected to provide constructive advice to help their peers improve their study plan. 

This process not only supports peers (and the student from the feedback they receive) but, by critically reviewing two other project plans, students will be able to draw comparison with their own submission and will gain an insight into what works well for structure, etc.

In addition peer review feedback will be provided by a member of staff .  Students will also be able to access the review provided by the member of staff, and the paired student review of the protocol that was reviewed to see how closely these match, to help improve critical thinking skills.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualCreateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis to address the identified problem statement
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis
ConceptualCreateReview relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate professional practice in the management of research project including time-management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication and team work

Resit Assessments

Oral Examination and Dissertation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 3 Feedback Weeks 3

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Feedback

Oral examination, lasting approximately 30 minutes, combined with a written assignment dissertation (maximum of 3000 words).

Students will be informed of the outcome of you resit (i.e. resit pass/resit fail) within 5 working days of the oral examination. This will be communicated to students by the course coordinator through email.

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 professional practice in the management of research project including time-management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication and team work
ProceduralApplyDemonstrate practical experience with data collection and management
ProceduralCreateCommunicate project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse, interpret and present project data appropriately
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis
ProceduralUnderstandDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional and ethical standards
ConceptualCreateReview relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement
ConceptualCreateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis to address the identified problem statement

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