6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Organisational Unit
South Africa School of Social Science
Coordinator(s)
Not offered in 2017
Synopsis
This unit aims to equip students with the knowledge to successfully plan and execute their research projects (semesters two and three), and (b) provide them with an understanding of, and the basic skills required for, careers as science and technology professionals.
Topics covered by this Unit include;
- The role of science in society
- Research methodology
- Diffusion of innovation and knowledge management
- Proposal development and project management
Outcomes
Specific objectives of this unit include:
- Comment on the history and evolving role of science in society
- Differentiate between basic qualitative and quantitative research methods as well as contemporary approaches to research such as action research, inter- and transdisciplinary research, post-normal science and sustainability science
- Examine the process of knowledge creation and its relationship with technological innovation and diffusion
- Synthesize the history and theories of project management as well as the project management cycle and apply this in specific project activities
- Apply the essential tools of project management relating to project planning and resourcing
- Recognise the need and plan for social, technological, environmental, economic and political contexts in project design and rollout
- Apply monitoring and evaluation and risk management in the project cycle.
Assessment
Within semester assessment: 100%
Workload requirements
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
See also Unit timetable information