PIM92-Applied Research Project and Placement

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr David Marshall
Email: d.j.marshall@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module gives students an opportunity to do a work placement or an internship with an external organisation specifically related to the general sphere of public policy. Based on the work experience gained, the student will write a research report which develops their capacity for independent, critical research in a specialised domain.

Aims:

The aims of the work placement are to:

• provide the student with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills gained in their academic studies;


• extend knowledge and learning in their chosen pathway;


• gain knowledge, understanding and skills of working in a relevant work environment.

The aims of the research project are to:

• apply independent research skills to the work experience undertaken;


• develop and deepen a combined academic as well as practical knowledge and understanding in a chosen specialised area.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The student will demonstrate their learning outcomes by:

• preparing and writing a research project of 4,000 words which directly relates to, and builds upon, the work placement that is undertaken; provides an appreciation of the placement and an opportunity to research and evaluate alternative approaches which should be of value to the employer and the placement student.


• heightened ability to generate sources of practical information and ideas and combine them in an extensive study project.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage the development of the following skills:

• working with other people;


• an understanding of the requirements of the workplace.

Students will gain hands-on experience of full-time employment in a work environment that is directly relevant to their skills and knowledge in the field of public policy. Their confidence and self-reliance, maturity and sense of responsibility, team working and communication skills will be enhanced. The overall experience will be potentially invaluable in terms of their future career development and employability.

Outline content:

The area of work undertaken on the placement will be related to the students’ programme of study in the sphere of public policy. The day-to-day content of the work will be set by the employing organisation and in agreement with the School of Politics, Economics and International Relations. The work placement should provide the student with invaluable first-hand experience as well as providing opportunities for independent problem solving and working in a team.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The onus of this module is on independent working, including work experience, learning by observation, training as well as applying these experiences specifically to an applied research project. Tutorial supervision will be given by a placement/research project tutor.

It is expected that most placements will be undertaken in the summer term. The specific duties and amount of time engaged in the work placement will be subject to the mutual agreement of the employer and Univ ersity authorities. In terms of the academic part of the module:

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Supervised time in studio/workshop	2	2	2
Placement			70
Guided independent study:			124
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	2	2	196
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students are required to submit a 4,000 words project on a research question agreed with the supervisor and related to the placement by an agreed deadline (which under normal circumstances would be in early-September).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

50% overall module mark

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessments will take by mid-October.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Printing and binding: There may be photocopying costs involved in project research, at 5p per sheet.

Last updated: 30 March 2023