SD3101 Developing a Sustainable Development Research Proposal

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 9

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Only available to students on a Honours Degree in SD (joint or single)

Planned timetable

Thurs 2pm-4pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr R M White

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Rehema White

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module supports students in all aspects of developing a research proposal in the interdisciplinary context of Sustainable Development. It explains the principles of project design and the linkages between conceptualisation and methodology. It will also introduce students to the practical aspects of research including ethics and health and safety. This module will inspire students to conceive research projects that are innovative, highly independent, structured around clear and informed scientific principles/theoretical positions and methodological procedures, and which are critically engaged with the appropriate literature and based on outstanding data. It will give students the skills and opportunity to prepare a robust research proposal that will guide their 4000-level independent dissertation project in Sustainable Development.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST ( PASS SD2001 AND PASS SD2002 ) OR ( PASS SD2005 AND PASS SD2006 AND PASS SD2100 )

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU PASS GG3205 OR TAKE GG3205

Co-requisites

AT LEAST 10 CREDITS FROM: GG3206-GG3212 OR GG3215

Assessment pattern

100% Coursework - research proposal. 10 page research proposal Modelling on ESRC grant application.

Re-assessment

100% course work - research proposal. 10 page research proposal Modelling on ESRC grant application.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2hr Lecture (x 4 weeks); 2hr Tutorial (x2 weeks); 2hr workshop (x 1 week); 1hr Individual Supervisor (x3 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

Students will learn to design rigorous, valid, informative and ethical research projects in the interdisciplinary context of Sustainable Development
Students will understand different ways to design research and that these differences rest on epistemology and theoretical foundations which impact the meanings and the conduct of research
This module will give students the skills and opportunity to prepare a robust research proposal that will guide their 4000- level independent dissertation project
Students will further understand the evolution of sustainable development as a research agenda and as policy practice.