University of the
West of England
MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: USSJFS-30-M Title: Interim Report Version:
Level: UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:
Owning Faculty: Health and Life Sciences Field:
Faculty Committee approval: Q&S Committee (School of Life Sciences) Date: July 2010
Approved for Delivery by: N/A
Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from:
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Entry Requirements:
N/A
Excluded Combinations:
Learning Outcomes:
The student will be able to:
• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the research process involved with completion of a research study;
• demonstrate the ability to define and execute objectives;
• perform an investigation of a well-defined research problem related to biomedical science practice;
• demonstrate the ability to draw valid conclusions based on research observation;
• discuss critically the significance and contribution of their project to existing published work and biomedical science practice;
• utilise electronic information sources effectively as learning aids;
• demonstrate an awareness of doctorate level trajectory by the presentation and defence of interim research study;
• develop a concept of lateral thinking and appreciation of future research strategies.
Syllabus Outline:
A series of one-to-one tutorials will run which are designed to offer support and guidance during the project process and generation of the interim report, whose recommended length is 10,000 words maximum. The supervisory team, and particuarly the DoS will meet with the student at least four times a year to discuss progress and the interim report will be written and submitted for a progression exam viva voce examination.
The interim report will detail the hypothesis, research results, statistical analyses, discussion of these results in the context of published work and future planned work. The report is assessed by the supervisory team plus an internal examiner; appropriate forms are filled out following the standard progression examination protocol set out by the appropriate research degrees committee.
It is anticipated that the students pass the progression exam by the middle of year three of the five year programme; and certainly by no later than the end of year three. The outcome of both the report and oral defence of the research will support progress towards the DBMS.
For the purpose of assessment, the progression report and viva voce examination is uncoupled from this module so that it is instead embedded into the normal doctoral/postgraduate journey through the research degrees committee. Instead, this module requires the students to prepare a poster presentation that details their research background, research aims, methods, preliminary results and future work plans. The poster will be presented in the April DBMS session in year three, namely a few months before the progression report is due to be examined. Oral defence of the poster will give the students the opportunity to receive feedback and advice in preparation for the progression examination. The poster will be assessed independently by two academic staff. 50% of the mark given will be informed by the quality of the poster and 50% by the oral defence of the poster
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Support for the research studies takes the form of a series of meetings with the supervisory team and one-to-one support in the preparation of the interim report. Preparation for the oral defence and poster presentation will be undertaken in a tutorial context.
Reading Strategy:
All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.
Any essential reading will be indicated clearly, along with the method for accessing it, e.g. students may be expected to purchase a set text, be given or sold a print study pack or be referred to texts that are available electronically, etc. This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on Blackboard or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders.
If further reading is expected, this will be indicated clearly. If specific texts are listed, a clear indication will be given regarding how to access them and, if appropriate, students will be given guidance on how to identify relevant sources for themselves, e.g. through use of bibliographical databases.
Indicative Reading List:
Gregory, I (2003) Ethics in Research. London, Continuum.
Hesse-Biber, S.N. & Leavy, P. (2004) Approaches to Qualitative Research. New York: Oxford University Press.
Lindsay, DA (1995) Guide to Scientific Writing. Melbourne: Longman
Flint, MF (1990) Users Guide to Copyright. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Sortland, M and Gregory, J (1991) Communicating Science. Harlow: Longman.
Bland M. (1995) An Introduction to Medical Statistics. Oxford: oxford University Press.
And relevant Journals on Biological and Biomedical Sciences available in the Bolland Library
Assessment:
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 100% B: 0%
FIRST ATTEMPT
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW1 |
and defence |
||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) further attendance at taught classes
Component A (controlled) Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
CW1 |
and defence |
||
Component B Element Wt (Ratio)
Description of each element (within Component)
EXCEPTIONAL SECOND ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes .
Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………
(Associate Dean/Programme Director)