BA Interactive Media_Investigative Study Unit
(illustration by Boris Artzybasheff of Richard Buckminster Fuller, for Time Magazine 1964)
unit handbook 2008-2009
Title: Investigative study
Ref:
Level: 6
Credit Points: 15
Weighting: 1.0
Study Time: 150 hours
commencement date 10/10/08
deadline for hand-in 05/01/09
unit leader: Bob Cotton (rcotton@aib.ac.uk)
Aims:
A1 To identify, and define the area of research
A2 To apply the skills required to plan research, formulate and present a written argument
A3 To investigate theoretical and cultural contexts appropriate to the area of research
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit you will be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate independent judgement in analysis and investigation and the ability to draw together ideas within a particular area of study
LO2 Demonstrate the ability to analyse evidence and draw together ideas within a particular area of study
LO3 Demonstrate the ability to plan, research, formulate and write a sustained piece of academic writing using appropriate academic protocols
LO4 Demonstrate the ability to debate appropriate theoretical and cultural contexts through the study
Description:
In this unit you will conduct an Investigative Study on a topic relevant to your subject specialism, and produce a focused argument structured within a written project of 4000 words that will demonstrate appropriate levels of critical understanding, analysis and theoretical application.
Outline Syllabus:
Identifying subject, title and approach
Structure of written work and presentation methods
research methods
Development of critical argument through the application of research
Use of theoretical frameworks
Application of academic protocols
structuring and formatting the report
Method of delivery:
Group debate on issues relating to individual Investigative Study proposals.
Individual tutorials to support your development and progress including preparation, discussion and feedback on the written project in progress.
Tasks outline
Written Investigative Study of 4,000 words
Assessment Requirements:
Written Investigative Study of 4,000 words 100%
(bibliography is not included in this total)
Assessment Criteria: (specific criteria related to the learning outcomes and linked to the statement of generic assessment criteria matrix):
Evidence of research and analysis, synthesis and development-evidenced through the production of a piece of academic writing (LO1)
Evidence of knowledge of contextual and theoretical issues and depth of subject knowledge – Evidenced through production of an appropriate study (LO1)
Evidence of knowledge of academic protocols – Demonstrated through a well-structured and appropriately referenced written project (LO2)
Evidence of understanding and critical analysis through the application of research– Demonstrated through a self-negotiated subject within an appropriate theoretical and cultural context (LO3)
Reference Material:
This specialist and reference material will be determined by the individual nature of your Investigative Study; guidance on primary and secondary sources and other appropriate material will be provided by your tutor and Subject Librarian. Some useful general sources on report and essay-writing and research methods include (highly recommended in bold):
Reference material:
Bell, J. (1999). Doing your research project. (3rd ed.). Buckingham: Open University Press.
Gash, S. (1999). Effective literature searching for research. (2nd ed.). Aldershot: Gower Press.
Hart, C. (2001). Doing a literature search. London: Sage.
Glatthorn, A. (1998). Writing the winning dissertation. Thousand Oaks, Ca: Corwin Press.
Dewdney, A. & Ride, P. (2006) The New Media Handbook. Abingdon, Oxon Routledge
Rudestam, K. (2000). Surviving your dissertation. London: Sage.
Swetnam,D. (1997). Writing your dissertation – how to plan, prepare, and present your work successfully. (2nd ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
William, N. (2001). Your research project. London: Sage.
Laurel, B.(2001) Utopian Entrepreneur Cambridge Mass. MIT Press
Hayles, K. (2002) Writing Machines Cambridge Mass. MIT Press
Additional guidance on primary and secondary sources and other appropriate material will be provided by your tutor and Subject Librarian
Timetable of activities:
1st Oct and 8th Oct
The task in these first two weeks of the Investigative Study unit is to further resolve both your choice of subject and the approach you will take to your subject, ready for tutorials on the 10th October.
You will be expected to both have made a decision on your subject AND to have developed a plan for a personal approach to this subject. You will have been expected to work on both these issues during the summer break. It is important that, for the tutorials beginning on Friday 10th October, that you have:
the subject heading/title – choose a subject – and an approach to this subject (ie your investigative study should not be merely an essay about a particular subject, but rather an investigative study on that subject)
list of 2 or 3 questions that you will address in your investigative study
a plan for the research, preparation and writing of your study.
Although there will be a few group tutorials at various stage in this unit, most of your contact time will be individual tutorials, tracking and guiding your progress through the unit to the hand-in deadline of 1st week in January.
The main stages you should aim for are:
title and approach (questions) by 08/10/08
table of contents and bulk of research completed 08/11/08
first draft completed and hand-in 17/11/08
assessment tutorials 05/12/08 and 12/12/08
term end 12/12/08
final hand-in by 05/01/09
Plagiarism and Cheating Policy “Plagiarism and Cheating Policy”
General Statement of Policy – please read this carefully. All quotations and excerpts from other works and pictures or graphics in your report must be acknowledged and referenced accurately, else you are liable to suspicion of plagiarism.
Within the assessment procedures of all courses there will be a clear statement on the consequences of plagiarism and cheating. The statement below will be introduced or an equivalent statement in a form acceptable to the relevant validating body or bodies and agreed by the Board of Studies.
Students should note that The Arts Institute at Bournemouth takes cases of proven plagiarism very seriously. Where intentional plagiarism is proven you will normally be excluded from your course. If this occurs at the end of your course the award will be withheld.
Please ensure you read this policy carefully and, if you have any questions, ask your Course Leader or tutor for clarification.
1. Definitions
1.1 Cheating is using any means to gain an unfair advantage in any assessment.
1.2 Plagiarism is the practice of passing off someone else’s work as your own, or using someone else’s work without acknowledgement. Whilst it is an accepted part of academic study to research the ideas of others to develop your own learning, it is essential to acknowledge your sources in presenting work for assessment. You must credit the author:
When you quote or refer to words or ideas taken from a book, magazine, newspaper, song, TV programme, film, web page, letter or any other source;
When you reproduce diagrams, pictures or illustrations;
When you use information gained by interviewing somebody.
You do not need to acknowledge a source when you are writing about your own experiences, observations or conclusions, or when you are using common knowledge. Common knowledge is usually interpreted as something your reader will already know or could easily find in general reference sources, or common sense observations.
1.3 Collusion is making a secret agreement with one or more other people for a deceitful or fraudulent purpose. You must not allow your work to be copied by another person, and you must not copy someone else’s work even if they agree to it. In peer assessment, you must not give more, or fewer, marks than the piece deserves because there is a previous agreement between you and another person.
2. Action
2.1. If a tutor suspects an occurrence of cheating, plagiarism or collusion, he or she informs the Course Leader.
The Course Leader meets with the student and with relevant tutors.
If sufficient grounds for concern remain, the Course Leader informs the Chair of the Examination Board, who convenes an investigative panel, normally comprising:
Chair of the Examination Board
Course Leader
Relevant tutors
The student has the right to present a case to the panel, but not to be accompanied by a friend, relative or other representative. No decision on the result of the student’s assessment will be reached until the facts have been established and the issue resolved.
The panel will decide their view of the case and the panel chair will report it to the student with a subsequent letter of confirmation which will include the recommended sanction if the case is proven. The findings will also be conveyed to the Deputy Principal, who will implement the recommended sanction unless the student appeals against the decision of the panel. If the case is not proven, no further action will be taken and the work will be assessed as normal.
If the student contests the findings of the panel, then the evidence will be reconsidered by a new panel consisting of the Deputy Principal (Chair), a Director of a different School and the Director of Finance and Registry, or their nominee.
The student has the right to attend for interview with the panel if they so wish, accompanied by a friend, relative or other representative.
The panel will present the Course Leader’s evidence to the student and invite their response. The student may present their case using witnesses or other data as appropriate.
The Deputy Principal will report the panel’s decision to the student by letter.
The decision of the panel is final. If the case is proven it will result in the application of sanctions agreed by the Deputy Principal’s panel. If not proven no further action will be taken and the work will be assessed as normal.
3. Sanctions
Where the case is proven, the following sanctions are available:
Termination of studies at the Institute with no credit awarded for the level at which the
offence occurred.
Termination of studies at the Institute with credit awarded at the level but not for the unit.
A requirement that the student repeats the year.
A requirement that the student repeats the taught unit and all assessment.
Failure of the unit with a requirement to retrieve the assessment of the failed unit, with a maximum available mark of 40%. The panel may further decide if the unit is to be reassessed on the basis of a retake.
The award of a capped pass grade of 40% on the grounds of acceptable mitigating circumstances.
The outcome of the process will be reported to the next Course Examination Board and minuted.
Appeals against the outcome of this procedure are through the Appeals against Assessment Process and Procedure. Such appeals are only permissible in the event of:
● New substantive evidence becoming available;
● An irregularity in the conduct of the investigation or in the operation of the panel.
Where the investigation confirms cheating or plagiarism but the student is not asked to leave the Institute, then the panel will produce a formal record that stays on the student’s file. In this circumstance any further proven case of cheating or plagiarism by the student will result in immediate withdrawal from the course of study.
