Proposal for a New Programme
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This
proposal is in Strategic Phase
Operational Phase
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1. Name
of Department and Departmental contact Department of Politics, International Relations and European Studies; Professor M H Smith, M.H.Smith@lboro.ac.uk |
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2. Award
and Title of proposed new programme MSc Research Methods (European and
International Studies) |
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3. Month
and Year of first intake to the programme October 2004 |
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4.
If the proposed new
programme is a revised version of an existing programme, state how this will
be phased in, i.e. - year(s) that Parts B, C, D will commence; pathway for
students currently on placement/leave of absence and resit students The programme is entirely new. |
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5. Reasons
for the proposal: its purpose and relevance; how it will enhance calibre of
teaching and learning; implications for existing programmes and modules The Departments Strategic Action
Plan, agreed in December 1999 (as for the Department of European Studies at
that time) and re-confirmed in 2002 in the context of the University Strategic
Plan, calls for significant increases in the numbers of postgraduate research
students in the Department, and for the achievement of ESRC recognition as
part of the consolidation of training for these students. ESRC recognition is
also central to the Department's aim of consolidating and if possible
improving its Grade 5 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. The Department has an international
reputation in the areas covered by the proposed programme, with particular
strengths in European Area Studies, International Relations, European public
policy and EU social policy, and with a substantial research output
(including an extensive series of 'cross-national research papers;' emanating
from projects carried out within the European Research Centre). Much of the
research output is built on very strong foundations for and experience in the
conduct of research in European and International contexts, which in turn
forms a key element of the proposed MSc training. There is an established
Masters programme in European and International Studies, which is recruiting
growing numbers of students. The MSc Research Methods programme - which is
quite distinct from but informed by the existing Masters portfolio - is thus
designed to capitalise on an area in which the Department has a strong
comparative advantage, and in which there is a strong basis for marketing a
new product. It also articulates closely with proposed new programmes at
undergraduate level in European and International Studies. The proposed programme also links
very strongly with the ESRC's recent adoption of a policy on the
international dimension in postgraduate research training. This policy was
inspired by consultancy work conducted within the Department of European and
International Studies (by Professor Linda Hantrais), which produced detailed
proposals for the incorporation of European and International dimensions in
PGR training. Key principles in those proposals were: a commitment to
international training expressed in skills and knowledge that all social
scientists should acquire; encouragement of international participation;
incorporation of an international perspective in postgraduate study;
enhancing language skills and knowledge of cultures; promoting participation
in international events; and relating this to dissemination and publication
strategies. The proposals here are constructed in this context, and in
particular in the context of the 'commitment to international training' and
'incorporation of an international perspective'. The proposed programme will also
equip students to undertake research in areas which have proved to be fertile
PGR recruiting ground for other institutions: European political and social
change, international relations, and the analysis and evaluation of EU
policy-making. It thus has the prospect not only of increasing recruitment to
PGT programmes in the Department, but also of providing the basis for
improved recruitment of postgraduate research students. In line with the
Departmental Strategic Action Plan, it makes use of links with other
postgraduate provision in the Faculty of SSH, especially through the use of
modules from the existing MSc in Social Research. The dedicated E&IS
modules in the programme can also be offered to PGR students recruited on a
'plus 3' or other basis, as part of their research training provision. The impact on existing programmes
will be positive. The existing Masters programme will not overlap with the
MSc Research Methods, and will retain its own custom-designed provision for
Research Methods and Research Design, but as noted above the dedicated
E&IS modules on the MSc Research Methods will be available to PGR
students recruited on other than a 1+3 basis. Significant parts of the
proposed MSc Research Methods provision derive from elements already
delivered as part of the Departmental components of Faculty Research
Training, and the new programme will enable these to be formalised and
rationalised. |
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6.
Outline of content [Full
Time] [* denotes existing module in
MSc Social Research programme; ** denotes module derived from existing
departmental research training components]
Module Titles
Credit Weeks 1-6: SSP401 Research Design I*
15 SSP403 Qualitative
Methods and Analysis I* 15 Weeks 6-12: EUP404 Research Design in European and
International Settings** 15 EUP402 Qualitative
Methods and Analysis in European and 15 International
Settings Weeks 13-18: SSP405 Quantitative Methods and Analysis
I*
15 SSP407 Effective
Management of Research I* 15 Weeks 19-24: EUP403 Quantitative
Methods and Analysis in European and 15 International Settings EUP401 Research
Management in European and International 15 Settings** Weeks 25-36: EUP400 Dissertation
60 [Part Time] Year 1: SSP401 Research Design I* EPU404 Research
Design in European and International Settings** SSP407 Effective
Management of Research I* EUP401 Research
Management in European and International Settings** Year 2: SSP403 Qualitative Methods and
Analysis I* EUP402 Qualitative
Methods and Analysis in European and International Settings SSP405 Quantitative
Methods and Analysis I* EUP403
Quantitative Methods and Analysis in European and International Settings Year 3: EUP400 Dissertation (to be
submitted by 31st January of Year 3) |
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7.
Programme Aims - state
main purposes and the distinctive features of the proposed programme The
aims of the programme are to: q Provide training in research methodology at Masters
level, suitable as a basis for doctoral research. q Equip students with the skills to function as
trained researchers in European and International settings. q Provide comprehensive and detailed training in a
variety of methods in both qualitative and quantitative research, and to
provide training in the application of these methods in European and
International settings. q Equip students with an appreciation of the practical
issues and principles involved in the management of research projects,
particularly in relation to projects undertaken in European and International
settings. q Offer opportunities for independent study and use of
several research methods and strategies, as well as formal instruction. q Cultivate a range of transferable skills relevant to
conducting research in a variety of European and International settings and
occupational contexts. The
programme is distinctive in the following ways: q It provides students with a core training in social science
research methods, relating each of the core areas systematically to the
demands and opportunities existing in European and International research
settings. q It builds upon a large amount of experience in
conducting social science research in European and International settings, of
a kind to be found in only a few UK universities. q It enables students to cultivate active skills in
the conduct of research in European and International settings, and gives
them the opportunity to apply these in the context of a research project.
Where necessary and appropriate, the Department can make available training
in languages other than English as part of supportive studies for students
engaged in the programme. q It relates directly to the ESRC strategy for 'the
international dimension in postgraduate research training' as adopted during
2002 on the basis of a consultancy report produced by the Department of
European and International Studies via the European Research Centre. |
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8. Programme
objectives - state what a graduate should know and be able to do on
completion of the programme; i)
Subject knowledge and
understanding Comprehension of basic principles of research design
and strategy, including an understanding of how to formulate researchable
problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research.
Competency in understanding and applying a range of research methods and
tools. Capabilities for managing research, including managing data, and
conducting and disseminating research in a way that is consistent with both
professional practice and the normal principles of research ethics.
Understanding of the significant of alternative epistemological positions
that provide the context for theory construction, research design and the
selection foa appropriate analytical techniques. Comprehension of the
distinctive issues posed in these areas by research in European and
International settings, and of the ways in which these can be addressed and
resolved. ii)
Cognitive skills High-level analytical and conceptual skills related
to research in European and International settings, including analysis of the
impact of different institutional, cultural and social structures, the
evaluation of evidence in complex policy-making arenas and the application of
concepts and theories to research materials derived from European and
International settings. Critical and evaluative skills at an advanced level
in relation to the possibilities and problems created by research undertaken
in European and International settings. Ability to apply research skills in
the context of an extended Dissertation, and at the level necessary to
provide for further progression in a research career (academic or
non-academic). iii)
Subject specific
practical and professional skills Strong awareness of issues relating to research on
the politics and societies of European countries, research on the operations
of the EU, and to the implications of working in a research capacity in or
with national and/or EU institutions, in both the public and the private
sector. Ability to formulate and manage a research project in a European
and/or International setting, and to select appropriate strategies for
pursuing and completing it. iv)
General and
transferable skills The ability to write at a high level, with critical awareness
and evaluative dimensions. Ability to work at an advanced level in groups
analysing and evaluating social science research in European and
International settings. Ability to use ICT at an advanced level as
appropriate to the areas of research methods covered by the programme.
Ability to design, develop, manage and deliver a substantial individual
research project, which might be used as a basis for further postgraduate
research. Where appropriate, ability to undertake research activities involving
the use of languages other than English. |
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8.
Staffing implications
- adequacy of existing departmental resources; net increase/reduction in
staff teaching effort; demands on support staff; indication of expected
student numbers (for postgraduate programmes) Existing Departmental resources are a strong basis
for introduction of this programme, given that there is a very strong
background of experience in the conduct of research in European and
International settings, acquired over many years. The Library is very well
provided with both standard texts and specialised materials; there is a long
established European Documentation Centre, and both in the department and in
the University Library there is ready access to on-line resources. The
Department has also established use of the University 'learn server' on its
undergraduate and existing postgraduate modules, and this use will be
extended to the new programme from the outset. A key feature of the programme will be its use of
modules from the existing MSc in Social Research for one-third of the
programme credits (fifty per cent of the taught elements). Alongside this,
there will be a need for 60 credits of custom-designed modules dealing with
research in European and International settings. The supervision of
dissertations is already organised on a substantial scale for the existing
departmental Masters programmes. On this basis, the additional hours required
by the programme from E&IS staffing over the first year of operation will
be as follows: 4 x 15-credit modules at 24 hours each: 96 hours Dissertation supervision (assuming 5 students in
Year 1): 5 x 5 hours: 25 hours Total of the above: 121 hours. But it should be
noted that some elements of the programme are currently available, amounting
to the equivalent of 1 module. In addition, the Department's undergraduate
programmes are being revised to become markedly more efficient in terms of
teaching and assessment load with the introduction of the new undergraduate
programmes in European and International Studies and Politics with a Minor.
This would enable the additional hours to be absorbed within the departmental
workload model, but the Department is preparing a bid for Development Funding
of a new three-year Lectureship which will have as part of its responsibility
the development of modules for this programme. Demands on support staff will be accommodated within
the planned continuing increase in marketing activity related to the existing
Masters portfolio and PGR recruitment, and will add marginally to anticipated
increases in numbers of applications and of students enrolling on PGT
programmes in the Department. This will necessitate an up-front investment in
marketing and in administrative resources, which is signalled in the
Department's Strategic Action Plan, in its current Business Plan and in the
Financial Statement (attached). As already noted in various planning
contexts, we would anticipate in the longer term that there will be a
continuing need for at least a half-time secretary attached to postgraduate programmes in the Department, including
this one. Expected student numbers are as follows: Year 1
(2004/2005): 5
Year 2 (2005/2006): 5 Note that these numbers will be supplemented for the
'dedicated' E&IS modules at least by PGR students recruited on a 'plus
three basis' and otherwise, creating student groups of approximately 8-10 in
those cases. |
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9.
Implications for
Library material The
Library is already very well-stocked in the areas covered by the programme,
and the European Documentation Centre and other electronic resources -
provided either centrally or in the Department - will be available for it.
There will be a need for a small investment in additional copies of texts and
some specialist EU documentation, building on additional provision already
made for the existing programmes. |
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10.
Other resource
implications, e.g. - equipment, computing support, materials; lecture room,
lab and other space requirements; timetabling constraints; any special
residential requirements The
new programme will impose modest requirements for additional equipment and
computing support, including both hardware and software, which can be met
from existing and anticipated Departmental resources. There will be a need
for (small) lecture room space for an
average of four hours per week, and the department will need a dedicated MSc
work room to provide a base for the students. There are no obvious known timetabling
constraints, but the Department will need to cater for two blocks of six
weeks during semesters 1 and 2 during which a number of members of staff will
be contributing to the 'dedicated' modules. |
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11.
Implications for other
departments both providing and receiving The
programme as presently designed will feed E&IS students into four core
modules provided by the Department of Social Sciences, as anticipated in
Faculty MSc Research Methods planning. It is assumed that the modest numbers
of students implied in this proposal can be accommodated within those
modules. The dedicated E&IS modules are assumed to be free-standing, but
it is possible that they could appeal to students on other MRes programmes in
the Faculty whose research has a European or an International focus. |
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12.
Evidence of demand and
suitability; views of lecturers; current, prospective students; external
examiners, assessors, professional, industrial bodies etc. The
present proposal is part of a strategic move towards achieving ESRC 1+3
recognition for the Department, within the agreed Faculty move in the same direction. Our contacts both
with the ESRC and with partners and others engaged in our existing research
networks indicates that this is a proposal that would generate considerable
interest and student demands, enabling us to recruit the relatively modest
numbers indicated in the proposal. There are also indications that such a
programme could generate demand among non-UK students and for short-course versions
of the E&IS components. The staff associated with this proposal are both
well-qualified to deliver the programme and highly committed to its
introduction. |
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13.
Implications for
employability The
programme should produce graduates with a highly desirable range of skills
which will enhance their capacity to go on to postgraduate research and
employability both within the public sector and the private sector, in areas
where European and International policies and policy-making are an increasing
part of the context for research work. |
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14.
The
Department is Grade 5 in the 2001 RAE, and has many years of experience in
conducting the types of research around which this proposal centres. It has already
gained designation as a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, and will be making
further applications for Jean Monnet funding in relation to the current
proposal. This will provide some additional support for curriculum
development and materials relating to this and other Masters programmes
delivered by the Department, and will also add a marketing advantage. Modules
from the programme can in principle be developed in short-course or distance
learning form to appeal to potential customers in the East Midlands region
and beyond (see above section 12). The Department is in a position to offer
or to develop associated provision in languages (for example, in relation to
reading of research or the conduct of interviews in languages other than
English), depending upon the specific needs of students undertaking the
programme. The Department has earmarked significant funds from its non-pay
budget to assist with the attraction and support of students in relation to
this programme as part of its postgraduate portfolio. |
OPERATIONAL PHASE
Programme Regulations attached
New Module Specifications (hpa versions) attached
Evidence of External Support attached
Consultation forms attached and considered:
Other Academic Departments
(Please list)
Library
Careers Service
Computing Services
Flexible Learning (where appropriate for
Distance Learning Provision)
Head of Department Signature: .
Date: ..
This proposal is approved for submission to Curriculum Sub-Committee
Associate Dean (Teaching) Signature: ..
Date:
Forms not including both the Head of
Department's and Associate Dean (Teaching)'s signature will not be accepted.
(May 1999)
WHEN SUBMITTING OPERATIONAL PROPOSALS
PLEASE FORWARD AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE PROPOSAL FORM AND THE PROGRAMME
REGULATIONS AS AN EMAIL ATTACHMENT TO J.E.Elliott
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
REGULATIONS FOR THE POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME IN RESEARCH METHODS
(EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES)
Academic Year 2004-05
These Programme
Regulations should be read in conjunction with the General Regulations for
Modular Postgraduate Awards (GRMPA), the Assessment Regulations for Modular
Postgraduate Awards (ARMPA) and the relevant Module Specifications. Notice of
change will be given by the Department responsible for the Programme.
STRUCTURE
1. The Programme is the responsibility of the Department of Politics, International Relations and European Studies.
2. The Programme leads to the award of MSc/MSc with Distinction, LPD/LPD
with Distinction, or LPC.
2. The minimum period of study for the award of MSc is one calendar year full-
time or two calendar years part-time.
CONTENT
4. CODE TITLE CREDITS
SSP401 Research Design 1: Principles of Research 15
Strategy and Design
SSP403 Qualitative Methods and Analysis I 15
SSP405 Quantitative Methods and Analysis I: 15
Basic Approaches
SSP407 Effective Management of Research I: 15
Principles
EUPXXX Research Traditions and Research Design 15
In European and International Settings
EUPXXX Qualitative Methods and Analysis in 15
European and International Settings
EUPXXX Quantitative Methods and Analysis in 15
European and International Settings
EUPXXX Effective Management of Research: Case 15
Studies in European and International
Settings
EUPXXX Dissertation 60
ASSESSMENT
5.1 Each module in the programme will be assessed, and credit will be awarded,
in accordance with the levels of achievement specified in GRMPA.
5.2 In accordance with GRMPA, but with the exclusion of module EUPXXX
(Dissertation), candidates who have a right of re-assessment in a module may
choose to be re-assessed at an earlier date than that of the next routine
assessment of the module.
AWARDS: SPECIFIC
PROGRAMME PROVISIONS
As provided for in GRMPA, candidates must fulfil the following requirements in order to be eligible for an award:
6.1 Eligibility for the awards of LPC and LPD will be based on candidates'
performance in modules other than EUPXXX (Dissertation).
6.2 To be eligible for the award of LPC, candidates must fulfil the requirements
specified in GRMPA.
6.3 To be eligible for the award of LPD, candidates must accumulate at least 105
credits and achieve a minimum of 40% in one further module.
6.4 To be eligible for the award of MSc, candidates must accumulate at least 165
credits and achieve a minimum of 40% in the remaining module.
6.5 To be eligible for the award of LPD or MSc with Distinction, candidates must
fulfil the requirements specified in GRMPA.