FORS08011 2019 Research Project 2 (Practical)

Work independently on Forensic / Analytical problem.

Design experiments and/or casework related experiments and formulate a project plan

Execute experimental / practical activities, troubleshoot and problem solve within a limited time frame

Present a report on literature review, methodology, research findings, analysis of results.

Interpret and evaluate research findings including the use of statistical tests and defend and critically appraise their research findings.

Students will be allocated a research topic based on their preferred area and they will be assigned a supervisor. Students will independently formulate hypothesis and design their experiments taking consideration of the various limiting factors pertaining (e.g. equipment, time, reagents, safety, etc) and they will utilise the knowledge acquired from the literature (Project Part 1) to address the specific aspect of the subject matter under investigation.

Students will be facilitated by their supervisor and will report weekly to their supervisor to ensure their project / experimental design / experimental findings are in line with expectations and are of sufficient rigour.  

The project is assessed in a number of ways:

Continuous assessment - this is carried out by the project supervisor and relates to the manner in which the student plans, organised and manages their own learning and experimental design during the project. It assesses the ability of the student to take responsibility for their own learning and to plan and manage their time and experimental / data collection autonomously. 

Written report - the written report is assessed by the project supervisor and a second academic. This assessment evaluates the students ability to accurately record, interpret, evaluate and draw conclusions from their experimental findings. This also allows the assessors an insight into the students understanding of a specific scientific topic in detail and the students ability to source literature, evaluate and interpret this literature and to place their own findings in context.

Presentation - the presentation is assessed by a number of academic staff including the project supervisor, second reader and other academic staff who have been involved in delivery of various modules within the programme. This presentation allows the student to demonstrate their ability to communicate their research findings in both poster and oral form. This enables the assessors to gain an insight into the students ability to communicate the knowledge gained during the project and also to evaluate the students deeper understanding of the value and limitations of their research methods and results. The presentations also give the student the opportunity to demonstrate their wider knowledge of the subject area and their ability to place this in context.  

Repeat continuous assessment

Design a project plan indicating tasks and milestones and present as a Gantt chart on an assigned forensic / analytical topic

Operate a range of modern analytical instruments and be conversant with the use of related computer software and / or perform experimental analysis on a range of samples in a manner which delivers statistically relevant data

Conduct tests / experiments in a safe manner taking environmental factors into consideration if appropriate

Prepare risk assessments and maintain accurate records of tests / experiments

Complete a technical report including details of procedures, evaluation of results and conclusions

Present findings orally and defend research findings