Integrating research skills throughout the degree: a case study of a Politics programme

This study analyses research training in one Politics programme that introduced a new compulsory methods module in preparation for the final year dissertation but also integrated other aspects of research skills throughout the curriculum. The case study examines the premises behind this change details the processes that were carried to design and implement the change analyse its impact and summarise the strengths and weaknesses of this effort. Undergraduate research is required throughout UK honours degrees and this requirement provides a focus for building a coherent curriculum but there are many obstacles to gaining consensus and effectively running such a programme.