Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3231: Research Experience

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Aims

By the end of this module you will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how to work effectively as a research assistant, including how to communicate with your project manager, how to manage your time, and how to work as part of a team. You will also learn one political science or international relations research project in depth. During the module you will receive support and training and mentoring from the research active member of staff (your project manager). You will be tasked with conducting original, independent research and producing a substantial piece of writing that will form part of a larger research project that the project manager is working on. In the process, you will gain experience in how to demonstrate knowledge of political science and international relations as well as academic and practical research methods. While there are no guarantees, the expectation is that the research assistant will contribute sufficiently to a project to be added as a co-author on a manuscript to be submitted for peer-review for publication.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. Develop methodological research skills, specifically in reading, designing, and conducting experimental research
2. Attain knowledge of landmark experimental research studies in political science
Discipline-Specific Skills3. Exercise informed judgement concerning the practical constraints of being a research assistant in Politics/International relations
4. Exhibit an understanding of the relationship between knowledge and practice
5. Communicate (in writing and in speech) in a manner appropriate to professional research environment
Personal and Key Skills6. Conduct both independent and directed research tasks
7. Exercise critical judgment in the form of cogent and persuasive writing