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Challenge-Led Social Research - EDU00124M

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  • Department: Education
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module explores what it means to work within a discipline and across disciplines through the lens of challenge-led research. During the module students will work in interdisciplinary teams to develop a proposal to respond to a grand social challenge and reflect on their personal experiences as well as the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary research.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

  • To develop an awareness of so-called grand challenges or wicked problems
  • To develop an understanding of different approaches to interdisciplinary research
  • To explore different research paradigms and their philosophical underpinnings
  • To reflect on the benefits and challenges of engaging in interdisciplinary research

Module learning outcomes

Students who complete the course successfully should be able to:

  • Understand the variety of approaches to interdisciplinary study and their theoretical and epistemological foundations
  • Critically evaluate the practical and methodological aspects of interdisciplinary research
  • Understanding subject-specific and interdisciplinary debates
  • Identify research challenges at the frontier of your field of interest
  • Apply your understanding of interdisciplinary research to the development of your own research projects.
  • Communicate effectively to colleagues the role of interdisciplinarity in the context of your own research

Academic and graduate skills

  • Formulate arguments and contribute to discussion
  • Engage critically with published research and with practical learning problems
  • Take part in group work and problem-solving activities and team work
  • Demonstrate effective planning and time management

Word-process, use the VLE, and a range of other technologies

Module content

This module will take students through the research life-cycle from developing a research proposal for an interdisciplinary project to generating impact through the dissemination of findings to stakeholders and the lay public. Time will also be given to discussing the drivers of interdisciplinary research, including grand social challenges, disciplinary and interdisciplinary research practices, and the benefits and challenges of working within and across disciplines.

Indicative content:

  • Introducing challenge-led social research
  • Developing a proposal for an interdisciplinary project
  • Preparing a critical literature review
  • Exploring the (in)compatibility of different disciplines
  • Reflecting on the value of interdisciplinary research
  • Communicating research to different audiences
  • Preparing an ethics application
  • Adopting open science practices
  • Developing a pathway to impact

Engaging stakeholder and the public

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Individual written feedback reports, with follow-up tutor meeting, if necessary. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information

Indicative reading

  • Becher, T. (1989). Academic tribes and territories: Intellectual enquiry and the culture of disciplines. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
  • Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage publications.
  • Frodeman, R., Klein, J. T., & Pacheco, R. C. D. S. (Eds.). (2017). The Oxford handbook of interdisciplinarity. Oxford University Press.
  • Pring, R. (2004). Philosophy of educational research. (2nd Ed.) London: Continuum.
  • Repko, A. F., Szostak, R., & Buchberger, M. P. (2016). Introduction to interdisciplinary studies. Sage Publications.
  • Cottrell (2017). Critical thinking skills. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
  • Wray, A. & Wallace, M. (2011). Critical reading and writing for postgraduates. London: Sage.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.