Online Examination Procedure and Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs)

The module leader will use the Bb Test tool to administer the examination. You will access the tool from the Assessment > Online Examination sub-folder on the Bb course.

The module leader has designed the examination to unite your tutor-guided and self-directed independent learning and demonstrate that you can achieve the module learning outcomes. The examination format and questions will be inclusive and acknowledge the diverse experience, cultural, and linguistic origins of all students enrolled on the module.

You will take the examination in a restricted open book format; this means you will be allowed to use a clean physical copy of the essential reading textbook by Bryman. No other resources are allowed.

The examination will last 90 minutes and consist of a time-constrained array of 50 Genre A questions, which include the following types:

• fill in the blank and fill in multiple blanks
• matching
• multiple answers
• multiple-choice
• true/false
• jumbled sentences
• ordering

• short answer
• short essays

At the end of each week of the teaching programme, the module leader will make some online Genre A questions similar to those on the examination available to you on the Bb course to self-test your understanding of the weekly themes. The module leader will not assess your answers to these specimen questions; they are only formative for your self-directed study. The module leader will also make some example Genre B questions similar to those on the examination available to you at the end of teaching week 10. You will access these from the Assessment folder on the Bb course.

It would be best if you were logged on to the Bb course before you start the examination. Be aware the Bb Test tool will close automatically once your permitted 90-minute examination period is over. You should also be aware you are not allowed to leave and re-enter the tool during the examination. If you exit the tool early or by accident, your attempt at the examination will be over. Should this happen, you will not be allowed another attempt at the examination.

You are not allowed to communicate with your peers or anybody else during the examination. This regulation includes the use of Skype, Zoom, Teams, text messaging, IM, SMS, phone, face-to-face conversation, etc. If you are found guilty of this offence or any other form of academic misconduct, the University may choose to subject you to the penalties outlined in ARTA. You are also not allowed to have the following items in your possession during the examination: any electronic devices, i.e., smartphones, tablets, e-book readers, laptops, etc.

On completion of the examination, you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding

1. Define and evaluate selected key theories and concepts associated with natural and social scientific research strategies, designs, and formulation.

2. Critically appraise selected key theories and techniques associated with the nature and process of experimental, quantitative, and qualitative research and data analysis.

Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities

3. Critically review the literature and engage with what others have written through evaluative discourse.

4. Plan and execute a research project and formulate research questions.

Personal Values Attributes (Global/Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity)

5. Develop and exhibit the professional and research ethics characteristics of a Northumbria University postgraduate student.