20 Credit Modules

Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

Description of module content:

In this module you will conduct an independent piece of research, either as a practical laboratory-based project, or a piece of qualitative research (e.g. surveys). This involves design, development and implementation of a programme of research in a particular field of study relevant to your programme of study. You will critically analyse data/information generated, and communicate the outcomes in a written report, which will develop your skills in scientific writing. This will give you experience in summarising information and presentation skills. On-line literature searches. Literature review. Project formulation. Hypothesis generation. Experimental design. Development of practical skills/research technique. Data generation/collection and analysis. Use of appropriate statistical analysis. Evaluation of findings, critical analysis and conclusions, with reference to supporting literature. Communication of original research results in a report written in the style of a scientific paper.

Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Design, plan and implement a valid research project.

LO2: Generate a hypothesis, and devise suitable protocols in order to test that hypothesis.

LO3: Analyse and critically appraise experimental data, or metadata.

LO4: Exercise appropriate judgement, self-reliance, initiative and time management.

LO5: Critically explore solutions to practical problems.

LO6: Evaluate, critically reflect and communicate the original research results through the production of a fully referenced report.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment

2024/5, Trimester 3, BLENDED, Edinburgh Napier University

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2025/6, Trimester 1, Blended,

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Occurrence:	001
Primary mode of delivery:	Blended
Location of delivery:	SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module:	Samantha Donnellan
Module Organiser:

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activity	Learning & Teaching Activity	NESH (Study Hours)	NESH Description
Face To Face	Tutorial	10	These will be in the form of regular lab meetings with an additional input from an MRes or PhD student about research.
Face To Face	Centrally Time Tabled Examination	280	Practical classes and workshops- this will be with your supervisory team/research group, beginning from week 4.
Online	Guided independent study	310	Guided independent study will form much of your time on this module. You will gather, analyse and present data in your report and oral. Much of your independent time will be spent planning your project and writing up your assessments.
	Total Study Hours	600
	Expected Total Study Hours for Module	600

Assessment
Type of Assessment	Weighting %	LOs covered	Week due	Length in Hours/Words	Description
Report	50	3~5~6	Week 12	, WORDS= 7000 words	Thesis. You will conduct an independent piece of research, either as a practical laboratory-based project, a critical, literature-based project or a piece of qualitative research and present this as a thesis; a formal, research-based report. It presents your original research, findings, and arguments on a specific topic.By week 4 you will need to submit Chapter 1 (the Introduction) to your project to your supervisors for feedback. This will give you the opportunity to learn the background to your area of study and understand the fundamentals of the research you are embarking on. You will submit a draft of this thesis prior to the submission date for feedback from your supervisory team. The maximum size for this piece of work should be 7,000 words (+/- 10% as per the University regulations).
Oral Assessment	40	1~2~3~6	Exam Period	HOURS= 30-45min	Oral examination. With your supervisory team plus 1 other academic member of staff not familiar with your project, you will have the opportunity to answer questions on your research, this will cover data analysis, methods and materials used, as well as your discussion points and whether your hypothesis can be accepted or rejected.
Project - Practical	10	1~4~5	Not Yet Determi	HOURS= Full trimester	Performance of project. Your supervisory team (including the person directly supervising day-to-day work in the lab or the ML) will assign a mark based on your performance throughout the project, including up to the submission of your thesis. There is a rubric by which your grade is assigned, and this mark will be determined by your supervisory team and your ML. Attendance, time keeping, project management and practical skills will be assessed here as well as leadership and communication skills around your project.
Component 1 subtotal:	50
Component 2 subtotal:	50
Module subtotal:	100

2025/6, Trimester 2, Blended,

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Occurrence:	002
Primary mode of delivery:	Blended
Location of delivery:	SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module:	Samantha Donnellan
Module Organiser:

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activity	Learning & Teaching Activity	NESH (Study Hours)	NESH Description
Face To Face	Tutorial	10	These will be in the form of regular lab meetings with an additional input from an MRes or PhD student about research.
Face To Face	Centrally Time Tabled Examination	280	Practical classes and workshops- this will be with your supervisory team/research group, beginning from week 4.
Online	Guided independent study	310	Guided independent study will form much of your time on this module. You will gather, analyse and present data in your report and oral. Much of your independent time will be spent planning your project and writing up your assessments.
	Total Study Hours	600
	Expected Total Study Hours for Module	600

Assessment
Type of Assessment	Weighting %	LOs covered	Week due	Length in Hours/Words	Description
Report	50	3~5~6	Week 12	, WORDS= 7000 words	Thesis. You will conduct an independent piece of research, either as a practical laboratory-based project, a critical, literature-based project or a piece of qualitative research and present this as a thesis; a formal, research-based report. It presents your original research, findings, and arguments on a specific topic.By week 4 you will need to submit Chapter 1 (the Introduction) to your project to your supervisors for feedback. This will give you the opportunity to learn the background to your area of study and understand the fundamentals of the research you are embarking on. You will submit a draft of this thesis prior to the submission date for feedback from your supervisory team. The maximum size for this piece of work should be 7,000 words (+/- 10% as per the University regulations).
Oral Assessment	40	1~2~3~6	Exam Period	HOURS= 30-45min	Oral examination. With your supervisory team plus 1 other academic member of staff not familiar with your project, you will have the opportunity to answer questions on your research, this will cover data analysis, methods and materials used, as well as your discussion points and whether your hypothesis can be accepted or rejected.
Project - Practical	10	1~4~5	Not Yet Determi	HOURS= Full trimester	Performance of project. Your supervisory team (including the person directly supervising day-to-day work in the lab or the ML) will assign a mark based on your performance throughout the project, including up to the submission of your thesis. There is a rubric by which your grade is assigned, and this mark will be determined by your supervisory team and your ML. Attendance, time keeping, project management and practical skills will be assessed here as well as leadership and communication skills around your project.
Component 1 subtotal:	50
Component 2 subtotal:	50
Module subtotal:	100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

Contact your module leader

Core Module Information
Module title:	Research Project
SCQF level:	11:
SCQF credit value:	60.00
ECTS credit value:	30
Module code:	BMS11102
Module leader:	Samantha Donnellan
School	School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group:	Life Sciences

Modules

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