| CODE | SPI3725 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Long Essay | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This will comprise an Individual Research Project conducted by the student on a specific theme agreed upon by the student and his/her tutor. and will be based on the different pillars of spatial planning as defined by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and on which the entire BSc (Hons) course is modelled: - The Institutional Dimension, Public Policy, Spatial Planning, Law; - Research Methods, Plan Formulation; - (Urban) Design Studies, Urban Landscape; - Economics; - Sociology, Anthropology, Geography; - Environmental Science, Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Physics of Energy; - Infrastructure Planning and Engineering, Transport, Energy, Water Management. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide students with an opportunity to conduct a research investigation project based on one of the seven areas of interest derived from the RTPI's Education pillars. This unit will further seek to assist students to learn how to develop appropriate research questions and an effective research methodology, analyze the qualitative and/or quantitative data collected and write an academic paper based on the findings. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Design a research question; - Develop a research methodology that addresses the research question most effectively; - Conduct research on his/her own, selecting appropriate research methods and using the knowledge gained from SPI 1101, SPI 1305 and SPI 2103; - Undertake a thorough literature review using a variety of academic literature sources, and referencing such sources correctly; - Conduct fieldwork; - Analyze data, using the knowledge gained from different study-units including (as may be applicable) statistical knowledge obtained through SOR 0210, SOR 0220 and SOR 0233; - Write an academic research paper based on the findings, using the knowledge gained from SPI 1202 and SPI 3724. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Obtain research skills (library and primary data), becoming proficient in selecting articles and journals for reading on a chosen theme and becoming knowledgeable in handling technical documents and integrating them to academic material; - Obtain analytical skills; - Develop academic writing skills. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Greetham, B. 2001. How to Write Better Essays. Palgrave. - Levin, P. 2005. Excellent Dissertations. Open University Press. Supplementary Readings: - Lunenburg, F. 2007. Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Corwin. - Terrell, S. 2015. Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation: Guidelines and Examples. The Guilford Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Long Essay | ||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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