Independent Research Paper
This page is all about my independent research paper. I will conduct my research and findings, as well as upload my notes from each session.
This project aims to develop your specialised knowledge and understanding of a subject of your own choice, via a self-initiated line of inquiry, culminating in a 4000-word Independent Research Paper. Key requirements of the module include the ability to demonstrate intellectual capability and aptitude in developing research strategies and academic presentation. You will complete a Project Rationale (500 words), which is intended as i) a rigorous plan from which to complete your final essay and ii) an opportunity to test out your approach before writing up the summative essay assignment. The Project Rationale should include a brief abstract or summary paragraph for the essay (including theme, line of inquiry, scope and key objectives) and bullet points for each section in the essay. You should also attach a full bibliography which evidences your research/reading (which may include a reference to an online research blog).
Your research will culminate in the submission of the finished Independent Research Paper/Essay (4000 words). The essay is the final polished expression of your research journey and the natural development of the materials collated, verified and summarised in the earlier Project Rationale. Attention to academic presentation and Harvard referencing is key — project planning needs to be considered at the outset to allow time to access/digest research material and draft the written work.
This project aims to develop your specialised knowledge and understanding of a subject of your own choice, via a self-initiated line of inquiry, culminating in a 4000-word Independent Research Paper. Key requirements of the module include the ability to demonstrate intellectual capability and aptitude in developing research strategies and academic presentation. You will complete a Project Rationale (500 words), which is intended as i) a rigorous plan from which to complete your final essay and ii) an opportunity to test out your approach before writing up the summative essay assignment. The Project Rationale should include a brief abstract or summary paragraph for the essay (including theme, line of inquiry, scope and key objectives) and bullet points for each section in the essay. You should also attach a full bibliography which evidences your research/reading (which may include a reference to an online research blog).
Your research will culminate in the submission of the finished Independent Research Paper/Essay (4000 words). The essay is the final polished expression of your research journey and the natural development of the materials collated, verified and summarised in the earlier Project Rationale. Attention to academic presentation and Harvard referencing is key — project planning needs to be considered at the outset to allow time to access/digest research material and draft the written work.
GROUP SESSION one
Group lectures: Wednesday morning every other week, as well as individual sessions with personal tutors on the other Wednesdays every other week.
2 Assignments:
Project rationale - DUE Thursday October 23rd
Research paper - DUE Thursday December 11th
Subject your interested in with room for debate/argument. (Think critically)
Theory > practice
Secondary methods
- reading list: locating key texts
- literature review
- theoretical frameworks / case studies
Key texts: articles etc
Theoretical frameworks: Narratology (formal rules for understanding structure + cultural significance)
Subcultures: gender studies, post modernism / post internet.
Case studies: not artificially constructed for research. Occurs naturally
Examples; professional organisations (good for small scale research)
Practice led research:
Knowledge emerges through cycle of activity + reflection
Approaches:
- experimentation with materials
- formal analysis
- adapted social-science
More niche then more in depth.
Semiotics usage
Map research visually? Venn diagrams
Research journey 2: explore subject
- play with potential ideas
- literature search
- be informed (familiarise with subject + key debates, texts)
- focus + refine (your line of inquiry)
Journey 2: focus - devise strategy
- appropriate methodology for subject
- project management
- scope of inquiry
Journey 3: research effectively
- active v passive approaches
- persevere with academic texts
- be critical (author bias)
- keep to task (no sidetracking)
- plan
IF STUCK TALK TO YOUR TUTOR!
Assignment 1: Project rationale
i) rationale for proposed essay
- 500 words only
- abstract + aims + essay structure
- formative assessment
ii) bibliography
Working title
Abstract + aims
Essay structure.
- not paragraphs
- bullet points
* try be specific (indicate theme + line of inquiry. Be prepared to revise + refine)
2 Assignments:
Project rationale - DUE Thursday October 23rd
Research paper - DUE Thursday December 11th
Subject your interested in with room for debate/argument. (Think critically)
Theory > practice
Secondary methods
- reading list: locating key texts
- literature review
- theoretical frameworks / case studies
Key texts: articles etc
Theoretical frameworks: Narratology (formal rules for understanding structure + cultural significance)
Subcultures: gender studies, post modernism / post internet.
Case studies: not artificially constructed for research. Occurs naturally
Examples; professional organisations (good for small scale research)
Practice led research:
Knowledge emerges through cycle of activity + reflection
Approaches:
- experimentation with materials
- formal analysis
- adapted social-science
More niche then more in depth.
Semiotics usage
Map research visually? Venn diagrams
Research journey 2: explore subject
- play with potential ideas
- literature search
- be informed (familiarise with subject + key debates, texts)
- focus + refine (your line of inquiry)
Journey 2: focus - devise strategy
- appropriate methodology for subject
- project management
- scope of inquiry
Journey 3: research effectively
- active v passive approaches
- persevere with academic texts
- be critical (author bias)
- keep to task (no sidetracking)
- plan
IF STUCK TALK TO YOUR TUTOR!
Assignment 1: Project rationale
i) rationale for proposed essay
- 500 words only
- abstract + aims + essay structure
- formative assessment
ii) bibliography
Working title
Abstract + aims
Essay structure.
- not paragraphs
- bullet points
* try be specific (indicate theme + line of inquiry. Be prepared to revise + refine)
Abstract:
- paragraph outlining project
include:
- definition + scope
- aims
- research methods (one line or two)
Essay order:
- essay skeleton / plan
- outline for each section
- include word counts
- chapter titles
- bullet points (needs to be open for editing)
- paragraph outlining project
include:
- definition + scope
- aims
- research methods (one line or two)
Essay order:
- essay skeleton / plan
- outline for each section
- include word counts
- chapter titles
- bullet points (needs to be open for editing)
Assignment 2: Dissertation
- 4000 words (NOT INCLUDE ABSTRACT + CAPTION IMAGES)
- fully Harvard referenced
- correctly formatted
Module lead : Nick Dodds (in on wed and thurs)
Personal tutors: Damon and Vince
- 4000 words (NOT INCLUDE ABSTRACT + CAPTION IMAGES)
- fully Harvard referenced
- correctly formatted
Module lead : Nick Dodds (in on wed and thurs)
Personal tutors: Damon and Vince
Primary research:
- journals, blueprints, storyboards, sketches.
- letters, postcards, poems, interviews
Secondary reserach:
- books, articles, thesis, dissertations, exhibitions reviews, interviews, current affairs.
Academic
Discussion + analysis of art / design
Cultural theory
Essays in library books
Art / design / film analysis books
Understand history + development of subject
Portal:
Video essay: picky about them, introduction only. Make sure they use research.
How to tell a source is good?
- who wrote it?
- references
- subject - specific vocab
- when was it published?
- is it still current?
- where was it located?
Planning search:
- mind maps
- identifying key words + topics
- journals, blueprints, storyboards, sketches.
- letters, postcards, poems, interviews
Secondary reserach:
- books, articles, thesis, dissertations, exhibitions reviews, interviews, current affairs.
Academic
Discussion + analysis of art / design
Cultural theory
Essays in library books
Art / design / film analysis books
Understand history + development of subject
Portal:
Video essay: picky about them, introduction only. Make sure they use research.
How to tell a source is good?
- who wrote it?
- references
- subject - specific vocab
- when was it published?
- is it still current?
- where was it located?
Planning search:
- mind maps
- identifying key words + topics
Development
Refine the topic as it's too broad.
Look at a singular visual language and entertainment source and stick to that.
Visual languages:
- Typography
- Colour palettes
- Shapes
- Imagery
- Icons/symbols
- Grid/layout
- Motion graphics
Look at a singular visual language and entertainment source and stick to that.
Visual languages:
- Typography
- Colour palettes
- Shapes
- Imagery
- Icons/symbols
- Grid/layout
- Motion graphics
GROUP SESSION TWO
Refining topics and research:
Framing a question
- not a general exploration of your subject area
- should have a focusing inquiry on a particular aspect
- locate a specific question on your topic, this will frame the focus pf the research.
Things to consider:
- Preliminary reading : get familiar with the territory
- Take a fresh angle: change perspective
- Keep scope narrow
When your scope is too narrow:
- widen net
- open the topic and think about usage of a broader context
When topic is to broad:
- add another filter to it, this will narrow it down and reduce the amount of literature
Example of this:
Topic: Gender in performance art
Narrow to: The use of costume and narrative in performance art to explore gender.
Help with refining:
- Use case studies: specific artists
Focus on specific works rather than and entire catalogue
BUT don't use too many (3 or 4 only) !
Journal articles:
One search, google scholar, and subject databases
Google scholar:
Settings - library links - uni of cumbria
Following the trail:
Snowballing: bibliography to locate materials
Scholar: cited by links for sources ( trace back )
Framing a question
- not a general exploration of your subject area
- should have a focusing inquiry on a particular aspect
- locate a specific question on your topic, this will frame the focus pf the research.
Things to consider:
- Preliminary reading : get familiar with the territory
- Take a fresh angle: change perspective
- Keep scope narrow
When your scope is too narrow:
- widen net
- open the topic and think about usage of a broader context
When topic is to broad:
- add another filter to it, this will narrow it down and reduce the amount of literature
Example of this:
Topic: Gender in performance art
Narrow to: The use of costume and narrative in performance art to explore gender.
Help with refining:
- Use case studies: specific artists
Focus on specific works rather than and entire catalogue
BUT don't use too many (3 or 4 only) !
Journal articles:
One search, google scholar, and subject databases
Google scholar:
Settings - library links - uni of cumbria
Following the trail:
Snowballing: bibliography to locate materials
Scholar: cited by links for sources ( trace back )
AI:
Why to not use it:
- bias and misinterpretations
- hallucinations ( articles that don't exist)
- copyright
- judgments
Why to not use it:
- bias and misinterpretations
- hallucinations ( articles that don't exist)
- copyright
- judgments
Next steps with research
Organise thoughts:
- annotated bibliographies
- reading logs
- Refworks: Drop websites and links i find to organise them + creates bibliographies
Mind maps
- flesh out quotes
- bullet points
- colour code
- keep the same one and just expand it over the semester.
Organise thoughts:
- annotated bibliographies
- reading logs
- Refworks: Drop websites and links i find to organise them + creates bibliographies
Mind maps
- flesh out quotes
- bullet points
- colour code
- keep the same one and just expand it over the semester.
GROUP SESSION THREE
Developing a thesis:
A dissertation sets an aim and seeks to achieve that aim.
- Critical Commentary
- Analysis
- Insights
Supported by:
- Reasoning
- Examples
- Evidence
Forming a thesis:
Once notes are done from my research:
- Organise as best as I can.
- Return to question
- Assess relevance
- Annotate my own notes (highlight)
- Summarise source
Planning Chapters:
- Put keywords or subheadings on separate post-its?
Test out different structure types.
Planning:
Mind-mapping helps visualise the content.
Each main subtopic has a different branch, add details and quotes.
Constructing Path:
The thesis is a central argument that you develop in answer to the research question.
It builds the momentum throughout the main body text.
Thesis statement:
A couple of sentences that summarise the argument.
A dissertation sets an aim and seeks to achieve that aim.
- Critical Commentary
- Analysis
- Insights
Supported by:
- Reasoning
- Examples
- Evidence
Forming a thesis:
Once notes are done from my research:
- Organise as best as I can.
- Return to question
- Assess relevance
- Annotate my own notes (highlight)
- Summarise source
Planning Chapters:
- Put keywords or subheadings on separate post-its?
Test out different structure types.
Planning:
Mind-mapping helps visualise the content.
Each main subtopic has a different branch, add details and quotes.
Constructing Path:
The thesis is a central argument that you develop in answer to the research question.
It builds the momentum throughout the main body text.
Thesis statement:
A couple of sentences that summarise the argument.
Steps:
Process - take in the information ( the research )
Understand - Comprehend key points, arguments, and evidence
Analyse - Examine how the key points, etc, fit together and relate to the topic at hand.
Compare: Explore similarities and differences between ideas
Synthesise - Bring together sources of information to serve an argument that will shape and support ideas.
Evaluate - Assess the worth of the idea in terms of relevance to needs.
Apply - Transfer that understanding and use it in response to questions.
Justify - Develop arguments and draw conclusions.
Consider:
- What needs to be understood first?
- What chapter can you dive deeper into in detail?
- Do you need a chapter to synthesise the strands before drawing the conclusion?
Process - take in the information ( the research )
Understand - Comprehend key points, arguments, and evidence
Analyse - Examine how the key points, etc, fit together and relate to the topic at hand.
Compare: Explore similarities and differences between ideas
Synthesise - Bring together sources of information to serve an argument that will shape and support ideas.
Evaluate - Assess the worth of the idea in terms of relevance to needs.
Apply - Transfer that understanding and use it in response to questions.
Justify - Develop arguments and draw conclusions.
Consider:
- What needs to be understood first?
- What chapter can you dive deeper into in detail?
- Do you need a chapter to synthesise the strands before drawing the conclusion?
Introduction ( 10 - 15% )
Overview
- Broad description (no ' This dissertation...')
- History of the topic
Motivations:
- What is the rationale for choosing this topic?
- Significance of the issue
Aims and Objectives:
- Key research questions (A)
- How will you achieve the answers to these questions?
Signposting:
- Provide a brief overview of the remaining chapters
Structure:
Treat each chapter like a mini essay.
PEEL paragraphs:
Point - State one idea
Evidence - to support that idea
Explanation - Significance / Reasoning
Link - Sum up, link up and connect the paragraphs
Don't put a paragraph between evidence and explanation (common mistake)
Writing steps:
- How does it relate to the topic?
- reliable sources?
- What are the consequences?
- What is the claim based on?
- Alternative viewpoints?
- Strengths/weaknesses of claim?
- What other websites are relevant?
Overview
- Broad description (no ' This dissertation...')
- History of the topic
Motivations:
- What is the rationale for choosing this topic?
- Significance of the issue
Aims and Objectives:
- Key research questions (A)
- How will you achieve the answers to these questions?
Signposting:
- Provide a brief overview of the remaining chapters
Structure:
Treat each chapter like a mini essay.
PEEL paragraphs:
Point - State one idea
Evidence - to support that idea
Explanation - Significance / Reasoning
Link - Sum up, link up and connect the paragraphs
Don't put a paragraph between evidence and explanation (common mistake)
Writing steps:
- How does it relate to the topic?
- reliable sources?
- What are the consequences?
- What is the claim based on?
- Alternative viewpoints?
- Strengths/weaknesses of claim?
- What other websites are relevant?
Conclusion ( 10% )
Present thesis:
- Summarise main points
- Answers research questions
Evaluation of research process:
- Any problems?
- Any improvements?
Further research:
- How can research be built on?
- What questions remain?
The conclusion needs to mirror the introduction.
Phrasing - Academic Phrase bank
Present thesis:
- Summarise main points
- Answers research questions
Evaluation of research process:
- Any problems?
- Any improvements?
Further research:
- How can research be built on?
- What questions remain?
The conclusion needs to mirror the introduction.
Phrasing - Academic Phrase bank
Schedule tips/help:
1. Decide to focus on a single task
2. 25-minute timer
3. Work on that task
4. When the timer goes off, take 5 5-minute break
5. Repeat x4, then break for 30 minutes
1. Decide to focus on a single task
2. 25-minute timer
3. Work on that task
4. When the timer goes off, take 5 5-minute break
5. Repeat x4, then break for 30 minutes
Overcoming procrastination:
General:
- To-do lists, start with the smallest task and build up to the top
- Mini pomodoro: Work 10 break 5
For writing:
- Free writing: Set a 5-minute timer and don't stop
- mind mapping, list of key terms
- Record yourself talking about the topic
General:
- To-do lists, start with the smallest task and build up to the top
- Mini pomodoro: Work 10 break 5
For writing:
- Free writing: Set a 5-minute timer and don't stop
- mind mapping, list of key terms
- Record yourself talking about the topic
Presentation:
- Title page
- Abstract
- Contents
- Chapters
- Bibliography
- Image reference list
Numbered pages
Each chapter on a new page
12pt readable font
Proofreading:
- Print out and highlight corrections
Different colour for each error
- Grammer
- Spelling
- Sentence change
- Get rid
- Title page
- Abstract
- Contents
- Chapters
- Bibliography
- Image reference list
Numbered pages
Each chapter on a new page
12pt readable font
Proofreading:
- Print out and highlight corrections
Different colour for each error
- Grammer
- Spelling
- Sentence change
- Get rid
Group session four
Managing the project ( plan for success)
Project rationale
- Working title
- abstract + aims
- Essay structure
- Research bibliography and research evidence
DISS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THIS IN 4000 WORD COUNT.
Devote regular time
Work/break balance
Build on the project rationale
Refine and know the line of inquiry
Edit and add detail
You will be judged on:
- Quality of written work and findings
- Ability to sustain a critical inquiry/argument
Structure: A - B - C
A: Beginning/intro
- Engage the reader, use of quotation as a discussion point?
- Define the theme and outline the line of inquiry
- State the key essay aims
- Briefly cover/justify research methods
B: Main content/findings
- Chapters, sections, paragraphs, visuals
- Synthesis: look at how you incorporate research material
Ordering your findings?
- Chronological
- Big picture to detail
- Specific to general
- Theory to application
- Problem to solution
- Literature review
- Comparison of different cultural perspectives.
C: Conclusion
- Final remarks: refer back to the aims
- Key points of discovery
- If relevant, speculate on future aspects
- Closure: importance of a good ending
TO AVOID:
- Broad narratives
- Fact-driven studies, purely historical
- Drawing upon a limited range of sources
- First-person writing or common perspective (I, me, my, we, our, us)
- No ranting
- Repetition/filler/tangents
- Too many images - be selective
- Use of pretentious phrases to impress
- Slang (informal language)
- Fabrication/plagiarism/AI
A successful essay has:
- Insight
- Synthesis
- Research strategy
- Analysis
- Objectivity
- Structure
- Academic presentation
- Attention to detail
Project rationale
- Working title
- abstract + aims
- Essay structure
- Research bibliography and research evidence
DISS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THIS IN 4000 WORD COUNT.
Devote regular time
Work/break balance
Build on the project rationale
Refine and know the line of inquiry
Edit and add detail
You will be judged on:
- Quality of written work and findings
- Ability to sustain a critical inquiry/argument
Structure: A - B - C
A: Beginning/intro
- Engage the reader, use of quotation as a discussion point?
- Define the theme and outline the line of inquiry
- State the key essay aims
- Briefly cover/justify research methods
B: Main content/findings
- Chapters, sections, paragraphs, visuals
- Synthesis: look at how you incorporate research material
Ordering your findings?
- Chronological
- Big picture to detail
- Specific to general
- Theory to application
- Problem to solution
- Literature review
- Comparison of different cultural perspectives.
C: Conclusion
- Final remarks: refer back to the aims
- Key points of discovery
- If relevant, speculate on future aspects
- Closure: importance of a good ending
TO AVOID:
- Broad narratives
- Fact-driven studies, purely historical
- Drawing upon a limited range of sources
- First-person writing or common perspective (I, me, my, we, our, us)
- No ranting
- Repetition/filler/tangents
- Too many images - be selective
- Use of pretentious phrases to impress
- Slang (informal language)
- Fabrication/plagiarism/AI
A successful essay has:
- Insight
- Synthesis
- Research strategy
- Analysis
- Objectivity
- Structure
- Academic presentation
- Attention to detail
Group session five
Academic presentation:
Why is it important?
- To meet formal requirements
- Improve legibility
- Improve rigour
Inclusions:
Title page
Abstract
Contents
List of illustrations
Main body of the paper
Bibliography (Harvard)
Images:
- All in colour with a caption
- Centre them and avoid wrapping text
- Referring (give them figures, eg, Fig.1)
- Image list will consist of details for each image
Top Tips:
- Regulary back up
- Revisit learning outcomes
- Why, what, how
- Check word counts
- Authority and credibility
- Acknowledge work of others
Editing:
The whole:
Read it aloud
Leave it for 24 hours
Does it work?
Structure make sense?
Coherent?
Paragraph level:
Enough evidence?
Relevant?
Logical, formal language?
Sentence level:
Grammatically correct?
Consistent in presentation?
Proofread
Standards:
4000 words
12pt in either Arial or Times New Roman
Double line-spaced
Numbered pages
Ample margins
Complete contents page
PDF Submission
Why is it important?
- To meet formal requirements
- Improve legibility
- Improve rigour
Inclusions:
Title page
Abstract
Contents
List of illustrations
Main body of the paper
Bibliography (Harvard)
Images:
- All in colour with a caption
- Centre them and avoid wrapping text
- Referring (give them figures, eg, Fig.1)
- Image list will consist of details for each image
Top Tips:
- Regulary back up
- Revisit learning outcomes
- Why, what, how
- Check word counts
- Authority and credibility
- Acknowledge work of others
Editing:
The whole:
Read it aloud
Leave it for 24 hours
Does it work?
Structure make sense?
Coherent?
Paragraph level:
Enough evidence?
Relevant?
Logical, formal language?
Sentence level:
Grammatically correct?
Consistent in presentation?
Proofread
Standards:
4000 words
12pt in either Arial or Times New Roman
Double line-spaced
Numbered pages
Ample margins
Complete contents page
PDF Submission