IA143-3-FY-CO:
Research and Academic Development Skills
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2025/26
Essex Pathways
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Foundation/Year Zero: Level 3
Inactive
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 26 June 2026
30
07 November 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
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This module is designed to support students in their academic subject disciplines and to strengthen their confidence in key skills areas such as: academic writing, research, academic integrity, collaborative and reflective practices.
The students are supported through the use of subject-specific materials tailored to their chosen degrees with alignment of assessments between academic subject modules and the skills module.
1. To develop students’ ability to operate effectively, in both written and spoken language, in a range of academic settings.
2. To develop students’ basic research skills, encouraging a critical approach to source materials and appropriate use of sources as supporting evidence.
3. To encourage independent learning strategies and develop students’ confidence to make judgments and be evaluative.
4. To equip students with appropriate and effective language and study skills applicable to their various disciplines.
By the end of this module a student will be expected to be able to:
1. Produce academic writing which is well-structured, relevant and clearly reasoned.
2. Communicate ideas, information and arguments with clarity, both orally and in written form, and which demonstrates the ability to integrate students’ own ideas with those of others.
3. Deliver effective presentations using an appropriate range of visual aids.
4. Comprehend texts on a range of subjects identifying main points from listening and reading material, and demonstrating critical reading skills to assess the usefulness of information.
5. Make full use of academic libraries and a range of appropriate electronic media for independent research purposes
6. Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate use of academic register and referencing conventions.
7. Develop time management strategies, employ self-directed learning and show an ability to reflect on one’s own goals and progress.
Syllabus
Identify text types and their relevance / appropriateness
Develop research techniques
Reading and note-taking skills development
Academic writing skills development
Planning, editing and redrafting skills (including effective use of feedback)
Referencing and how to avoid plagiarism
Listening skills development
Taking notes from reading material and lectures
Summary writing
Presentation skills including the effective use of visuals
Making use of graphs and statistical information
Revision and exam strategies
The reflective process for university students
The skills identified above will be developed using topics which may include:
1. Topics of particular relevance to specific pathways
2. Topics linked to Education for Sustainable Development
3. Topics of generic relevance to university students and studying
4. Current Affairs topics which offer opportunities for the development of critical thinking/discussion
Sources will be included within the syllabus which support the decolonisation of the curriculum through offering a wider range of source materials.
Skills for your professional life (Transferable Skills)
By the end of this module, you will have been offered opportunities:
1. To improve your written and oral communication skills.
2. To develop your online and independent learning skills.
3. To develop your analytical, critical thinking skills.
4. To enhance your reflective practice and develop a growth mindset.
5. To develop your research and planning skills.
6. To enhance your teamwork and interpersonal skills.
Teaching and learning on Essex Pathways modules offers students the ability to develop the foundation knowledge, skills, and competences to study at undergraduate level, through a curriculum that is purposely designed to provide an exceptional learning experience. All teaching, learning and assessment materials will be available via Moodle in a consistent and user-friendly manner.
The module will be delivered through 1 x 1-hour lecture, 1 x 2-hour class and 1 x 1-hour class.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
Formative assessment
Students will submit an academic integrity task in the Autumn Term.
Summative assessment
Introduction for a programming Lab Report (250 words, 15%)
This assignment will be submitted in the Autumn Term. The assignment will develop the students' ability to write an introduction for a Programming Lab Report.
Background for a programming Lab Report (250 words, 15%)
This assignment will be submitted in the Autumn Term. The assignment will develop the students' ability to write a background section for a Programming Lab Report.
Scaffolded assignment / Programming Lab Report (1,000 words, 35%)
This assignment will be submitted in the Spring Term. The assignment will develop the students' ability to produce an extended piece of writing in the most relevant genre for their pathway. The topic is selected in consultation with subject Module Leaders on the pathway.
Research oral presentation (7-10 mins, 35%)
Presentations are delivered individually in the Summer Term. They include subject specific research and an element of reflection. The presentation aims to develop students' oral communication skills as well as the ability to work collaboratively in both offline and online modes and to become more reflective learners.
Reassessment strategy
Failed coursework - Resubmit a piece of coursework (1,000 words) which will be marked as 100% of the new module mark. The reassessment task will enable the relevant learning outcomes to be met. If the group presentation has been failed or has not been attempted, students will also be required to submit a 500-word presentation in notes/slides format. The weighting will be divided equally between the assignment and the 500-word presentation.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Mr Christopher Eustace, email: cjeust@essex.ac.uk.
Christopher Eustace - cjeust@essex.ac.uk
Kate Smith - catsmith@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 85 hours, 73 (85.9%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
12 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
Essex Pathways
* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.
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