Designing, Proposing and Presenting Research

6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4023537FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester

1st and 2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

English

Faculty

Faculty of Law and Criminology

Department

Metajuridica

Educational team

Dave De Ruysscher (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

24 contact hours Lecture
25 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
130 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This course prepares students for an academic career. The course purports to teach students the skills required to write, present and defend a competitive research proposal. The course is composed of three parts (research proposal, presenting research and methods market). The lectures of methods market can be attended by a wider audience.

In the “research proposal” part (first and second semester), Law and Criminology students are trained in writing research proposals. In this part, attention will be paid to writing a 'state of the art'. Students will learn to reflect on the feasibility and planning of proposed research work. Students work on their research proposal in group. The assessment of the submitted proposal is done by the lecturer and on the basis of peer assessment. If sufficient knowledge of the chosen or required method, approach and/or research technique is lacking, the student will be individually supervised in acquiring this knowledge. He/she may, for example, follow a short training programme or workshop .

In the “methods market” section (first and second semester), invited researchers from the Netherlands and abroad present innovative research methods or techniques in legal and/or criminological research. The students are embedded in the research community of the VUB through testimonials from mandate holders and promoters of projects, and through R&D information sessions. The methods market sessions are open to a wide audience.

In the “presenting research” part (second semester), students (Law and Criminology) prepare a defence of their research proposal before a jury. They are trained in answering questions about method, research questions and feasibility. They prepare a Powerpoint presentation in group. A mock jury session will be organised.

In addition, students are individually guided in the preparation of an academic career.

The regulations for the course are found on the Canvas-page.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Slides, texts and research proposals, Canvas

Additional info

Admission requirements

The number of students is limited.
The candidate files a motivated request of admission to the course and is invited for an intake interview. Criteria for admission are motivation, good study results, and potential in research (which can be demonstrated by means of a high mark for a paper, the status of student researcher, participation in a publication, etc.). In their request student propose a theme for the research proposal.
The student submits a motivated request and is invited for an intake interview in which the student's interest in and affinity with research is assessed.
The student has taken an English-language test (TOEFL or comparable) or is willing to take such a test (required scores: Advanced for reading, High intermedia for writing).

The details of the requirements for admission are mentioned in the regulations of the course (available on Canvas).

Applications must be sent by e-mail to dave.de.ruysscher@vub.be before the 4th of July 2022 at midnight. A second round for applications of Master students who have received their Bachelor at anaother university will be organized at the beginning of September 2022.

Learning Outcomes

Leerresultaat

The student knows and recognizes common approaches to project research;
The student has insight into the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of research methods;
The student is able to detect weaknesses and strengths in a research proposal;
The student is able to incorporate knowledge of theory and methodology into a research proposal aimed at a concrete research case;
The student can write a research proposal in English;
The student can carry out a feasibility analysis and divide proposed research into work packages;
The student can defend his proposal orally in English;
The student actively seeks relevant experiences (e.g. summer schools, attending workshops) in preparation for a scientific career;
The student follows workshops and short training courses to improve the research skills needed to write the research proposal.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 20% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 60% of the final mark.
PRAC Paper determines 20% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Oral Exam with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Other Exam with a relative weight of 60 which comprises 60% of the final mark.

Within the PRAC Paper category, the following assignments need to be completed:

PRAC Paper with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Examination structure:

20% draft research proposal
60% final paper
20% oral exam: mock interview

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context