Module Details

Module Code: MUSC U6Z04
Full Title: Academic Writing & Research Skills
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction:English
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Eamonn Crudden
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: This module aims to develop an understanding of a range of academic skills required for study at third level. It aims to enable students to gather, interpret and present information, introduce students to academic writing skills (writing, reviewing, editing, referencing), and to enable students to communicate effectively in both spoken and written forms. This will be aligned with IT skills in order that they may engage with online and digital communication technologies both on a creative and practical level.

Topics to be covered will include: effective note-taking; use of library facilities; research; the ethics of research; grammar and punctuation; introduction to structuring and referencing; essay preparation and practice.

This module is designed to support students in their specific subject disciplines and to strengthen their confidence in key skills areas such as: academic writing, research, academic integrity and reflective practice.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Produce academic writing which is well-structured, relevant and clearly reasoned.
MLO2 Understand texts on a range of subjects identifying main points from listening and reading material, and demonstrating critical reading skills to assess the usefulness of information.
MLO3 Practice effective note-taking in lectures and for study/research.
MLO4 Demonstrate an ability to write an academic essay with appropriate structure, cohesive devices, language register and critical appraisal.
MLO5 Employ the DKIT library catalogue and databases in order to source reference material for a written essay and other assignments
MLO6 Assess the validity of research sources. Understand, recognise and find peer-reviewed sources.
MLO7 Competently use the Institute-standard Harvard Referencing System and understand the difference between plagiarized texts and texts which have been correctly cited and referenced.
MLO8 Ability to use IT skills to support their studies
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Study Skills
Introducing students to third-level education practice and standards, and introducing tools for effective learning
Locating, evaluating and selecting information
Note taking for written and oral delivery.
Reading Techniques for research
Close reading - Summarizing and paraphrasing academic texts
Research Methods
Designing, implementing and managing a research project for any subject
Primary & Secondary research
Qualitative vs quantitative research - Developing a hypothesis - Writing a research proposal - Literature review - Interview design & etiquette - Questionnaire design & administration - Analyzing and selecting data - Ethical considerations.
Reports and Essays
Basic structure - Language & style - Selecting & editing data - Proofreading – Presentation
Essay Format/Structure
Introduction- Opening statement, background information and thesis statement
Peer-reviewed sources
Assessing the validity of research sources. How to recognise and find peer-reviewed sources.
Harvard Referencing
Tuition aimed at equipping students to protect the academic integrity of their work and avoid plagiarism.
Understanding plagiarism
Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarising - Referencing different types of sources using the Harvard Referencing System.
IT Skills
IT skills to compliment all aspects of this module: word / data processing skills, using word processing for academic submissions, internet, electronic library resources.
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 8
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be required to complete a series of exercises which require them to employ IT skills relative to their academic study.
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 20
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,4,7
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be asked to identify and address errors in an academic text.
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 40
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be asked to produce a piece of academic writing relative to their chosen area of study.
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 100 Pass Mark 40
Timing n/a Learning Outcome 2,3,5,6,8
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Students will be required to give a presentation relative to their area of study
No Project
No Practical
No Final Examination

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Weekly Lecture Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact Weekly Tutorial Every Week 1.00 1
Practical Contact Lab based IT Skills Every Week 1.00 1
Independent Study Non Contact Prescribed readings and project work Every Week 3.00 3
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Practical Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Burns, Tom. (2012), Essential Study Skills: the complete guide to success at university, Sage.
  • Cottrell, S. (2008), The Study Skills Handbook, 3rd. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Dawson, C. (2009), Introduction to Research Methods: a practical guide for anyone undertaking a research project, How to Books, Oxford.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Bailey, S. (2011), Academic writing: A handbook for international students, 3rd. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxford.
  • Butler, L. (2007), Fundamentals of academic writing, Pearson Longman, New York, NY.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources