FA6026 - Critical Research Project

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will identify, investigate and plan a self-determined critical research project on a topic of your own choice. What are the key issues that will inform and shape the fashion industry in years to come? What about the sector interests and excites you most? This is your opportunity to fully immerse yourself in your subject, gaining expert knowledge in the process.

With weekly tutorial guidance from a dedicated mentor and discussion with your peers, you will read, research and reflect on the information you gather from primary and secondary sources. You will be rigorous and focused in your research, finding the most up to date source material and potentially interviewing key players in your field. Lectures on research methods, interviewing, ethics and project structure will help you to develop your research and writing skills. This development will be evidenced formatively throughout, as you progress through plans and drafts supported by academic staff.

Your research will be written up in either a 5000 word dissertation or 3000 word visual report (inc. 500 word reflection) demonstrating a rich understanding of your subject, contemporary cultural awareness, critical analysis and sophisticated ability to discuss and communicate your findings.

How will I learn on this module?

You will attend weekly sessions, including a number of lectures outlining key considerations such as initial development of concepts, through to research methodology and ethical responsibility. Tutorials will then focus on individual formative support and feedback to assist you in the direction of your own unique project. Where possible, elements of the process will be supported through peer group discussion, to help you gain further knowledge of the wider fashion sector.

A significant aspect of this module will be self-directed, encouraging you to independently and continuously engage with research materials relevant to your final submission.

The process of ongoing formative assessment/support, alongside draft development, will support you in learning the skills associated with long form writing. Further support will be available through the library, where the nuances of academic writing can be explored.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will initially receive lectures outlining the goals and methods of the project you are asked to complete. These crucial first steps will support you in building the fundamental skills necessary to embark on writing a longform piece of academically considered writing.

Subsequently you will individually supported by an assigned research mentor. Mentors will be allocated groups of students and the opportunity for discussion with peers will form aspects of the creative process. Independent support from mentors will follow, allowing you to address direct considerations as part of your unique final piece. Your final outcome will be either a written dissertation or public facing report, each to be guided in sessions and alongside mentors/staff.

Further support regarding academic writing will be provided via the University Library.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Engage in critical discourse to discuss and analyse ideas and issues shaping contemporary methods and practices.

2. Independently source and critically engage with relevant primary and secondary research materials, academic sources, theories and debates appropriate to your chosen specialism.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate an advanced ability to select and appropriately apply a range of research methods and approaches to construct a coherent, well structured argument that is supported by relevant appropriated referenced evidence.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

4. Be able to think independently, understand and justify your own opinions, and recognise the need to consider, acknowledge and respect diverse opinions and the social, cultural and ideological positions from which they arise.
5. Demonstrate decision-making, effective time management, and exploration of independent resources for a self-directed learning journey.

How will I be assessed?

FORMATIVE: Formative feedback will be delivered across the module. This can be verbal and/or textual and will be aligned to workshop activities.

SUMMATIVE
Choose one:

1a: Dissertation (80%)
A sustained piece of academic writing culminating in a 5,000 word critical research project (dissertation format). (LO1,2,3,4)

OR 1b: Public Facing Report (80%)
A public facing, visual report, formatted to a professional standard and focusing on a relevant critical issue of concern linked to the fashion environment. This would be a 3,000 word report, plus imagery and formatting. This would also include a 500 word reflection upon the creative processes undertaken in image production and manipulation.
(LO 1,2,3,4)

2: Research and Development file (20%)
This will include plans, drafts, work in progress and reflective notes from tutorials with your project mentor.
(LO5)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

What is it about the fashion sector that excites and incites you? In the module you will hone in on a chosen topic relevant to your discipline and subsequently explore, research and develop a final written piece demonstrating and disseminating your acquired knowledge. At the culmination of the module you will have a high level and depth of understanding linked to the area of focus, which would potentially align to your future aspirations as a Fashion Communicator of the future.

There are two options for final outcomes, a 5,000 word dissertation piece or a 3,000 word public facing report. The report would be visual, correctly and professional formatted, and inc. a further 500 word reflection.

The module offers you a chance to fully immerse yourself in a subject or topic area that you care about and wish to investigate and analyse in depth.

Course info

UCAS Code Z042

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

School Design, Arts and Creative Industries

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2027

Fee Information

Module Information

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