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Current Research Issues in Animal Behaviour

Module description

Animal behaviour is a dynamic field of research on diverse range of topics and species. In this module you will have access to cutting edge research at the forefront of the field of animal behaviour. You will interact with visiting academics and postdoctoral research associates from institutions across Europe and worldwide. Speakers will give hour-long seminars about their current research followed by an discussion session in which you will ask speakers questions about their work and discuss ideas about how the research could progress. Based on these presentations and discussions you will complete varied written pieces of coursework. In doing so you will learn to critically assess current knowledge and suggest how the field should move forward, and will develop skills at communicating research to a range of audiences.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to enable you to sample and learn from a wide range of examples of current research within a specific discipline, using the expertise of visiting specialists, Psychology’s academic staff, and advanced postdoctoral research associates. One aim is that you will develop a critical awareness of the broad range of methods available in research in the context of discussion of, and reflection on, larger issues of scientific method. Another aim is that you develop expertise in critical analysis and research design and learn to communicate complex ideas in a concise and engaging manner to other scientists, interested non-specialists, and the general public.  

Through attending the sessions and completing the assessments, you will further develop the following academic and professional skills:

• critical analysis (understanding outcomes, interpretation of data and methods, broad application of theory, using data to support or refute theory, comparing and contrasting multiple outcomes)
• problem solving (linking theory to practice, developing your own ideas with confidence, showing entrepreneurial awareness, being able to respond to novel and unfamiliar problems)
• managing structure (identifying key demands of the task, setting clearly defined goals, responding flexibly to changing priorities)
• time management (managing time effectively individually and within a group)
• collaboration (respecting the views and values of others, taking initiative and leading others supporting others in their work, maintaining group cohesiveness and purpose)
• audience awareness (presenting ideas effectively in multiple formats, persuading others of the importance and relevance of your views, responding positively and effectively to questions).

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Discuss in detail the types of research questions that are being addressed in your specific discipline
• 2. Describe extensively current methods and their applications in your specific discipline
• 3. Summarise at an advanced level the problems that arise in research development across a range of topics

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of a range of methodologies
• 5. Adequately relate specific research questions to appropriate methodology

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Engage in advanced critical analysis of research design
• 7. Discuss research and critically assess writing with instructors and peers
• 8. Write in non-scientific ways, which is transferable to careers in journalism, science writing, and press relations
• 9. Undertake independent learning and self-directed study (including good time management and the setting of appropriate deadlines, precise clarification of the aims and expected results of research, library use and website investigation)

Syllabus plan

You will be expected to attend research talks and discussion sessions over the first two terms. In the first hour, you will attend r seminars organised for the CRAB group. These seminars will provide you with an opportunity to hear about and discuss research projects in progress. In the second hour, you will engage in an in-depth discussion and critical analysis of the methods used in the research with the speaker Whilst writing the assessments you will be expected to attend a 2-hour session in which you read and constructively feedback on early drafts of the assessments of your peers. 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit further assessments based on the table above. If you are referred in a thought paper you will be required to write the thought paper on a different article to the original submission. The module mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Seminar speakers will provide you with a reading list each week posted on ELE.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2623

Key words search

Research, animal behaviour