Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2020 - 2021
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Description This module imparts important transferrable, research and writing skills. It instructs students on devising, planning and executing independent research projects, as well as on presenting research findings. Good research questions spring from familiarity with the state of current debates in the field, new methodologies, and from realistic assessment of the available sources. Research Methods explores the writing of history from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Lectures on the practical dimension of research will concentrate on the identification and use of sources; embracing bibliographical skills; and building awareness of the main guides, catalogues and reference works routinely used by historians. Students will learn the theory, ethical considerations and practical uses (and compilation) of oral sources. The student will also be introduced to Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a powerful tool for interrogating spatial data, and will develop skills in mapping historical data with a spatial element. The course concludes with an introduction to basic statistical methods for historians and how spatial and statistical data can contribute to the post-graduate thesis. At the heart of this course stands a commitment to helping students develop the key transferrable skills needed to thrive at postgraduate level and beyond, for example, an ability to evaluate critically the significance and utility of a large body of material, including evidence from contemporary sources and wide ranging opinions; the ability to engage directly with questions and present independent opinions about them in arguments that are well-written, clearly expressed, coherently organised and effectively supported by relevant evidence. METHODS OF TEACHING: Lectures, labs, workshops and archival visits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Embark on independent research projects and produce a capable thesis. 2. Identify and interpret different forms of historical data. 3. Demonstrate familiarity with key archival collections in print and digital formats 4. Deploy GIS methodologies and distinguish between different types of spatial data. 5. Develop an understanding of basic statistical methods and how they can contribute to historical research. 6. Enhance presentation skills. 7. Demonstrate an awareness of oral history; theory, ethics and practice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Indicative ContentSession 1: Writing history Hour 1 (James Kelly), Introduction to sources and archives Hour 2 (James Kelly), Note taking, citation and bibliography Session 2: Historical sources: getting the most of the library Hour 1 (Library staff), Catalogues, Google scholar, archival sources, BBIH Hour 2 (Library staff), Bibliographical sources, newspapers, endnote Session 3: Archival visits Hour 1 (Matthew Stout), Visit to the National Library Hour 2 (Matthew Stout), Visit to the National Archives Session 4: Planning the MA thesis Team-based session on how to identify viable thesis topics and embark on the research journey Session 5: The practical use of material and other online sources Hour 1 (Juliana Adelman), Sources for urban history Hour 2 (Ruth MacManus), The 1911 census Session 6: The practical use of material and other online sources Hour 1 (Will Murphy), Sources for Irish revolutionary history Hour 2 (Jonathan Cherry), Sources for the history and geography of 18th/19th-century estates Session 7: Editing a document Hour 1 (James Kelly), Transcription Hour 2 (James Kelly), Annotation and analysis Session 8: Oral history Hour 1 (Almar Ennis), Theory and ethical implications Hour 2 (Almar Ennis), Practical applications Session 9: Introduction to spatial data Hour 1 (Susan Hegarty), Data types and shapes, Raster and vector data, Lines, points and polygons Hour 2 (Susan Hegarty), National grids and reference systems Session 10: Spatial data sources for historical research and Basic Mapping Hour 1 (Susan Hegarty), How to source historical data, Creating a database for use in a GIS, Hour 1 (Susan Hegarty), Point data, Polygon, Geo-referencing of raster data Session 11: Quantitative methods Hour 1 (Matthew Stout), Introduction to statistical methods Hour 2 (Matthew Stout), Computer methods and historical research Session 12: Data processing and presentation Hour 1 (Matthew Stout), Data manipulation and presentation Hour 2 (Matthew Stout), Research methods integration of results and publication | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources 0, In Class/Online, 0, Comprehensive reading list will be provided to students in-class and/or online, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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