I will enjoy working on this programme because it enables and empowers students as research learners. I believe all students are and should be researchers, enquiring learners who ask questions, think critically, explore information and evidence, and construct new knowledge which they learn to share in a written and spoken dialogue with others. This programme will enable and equip students to ask informed questions, develop, plan, manage and carry out research and be able to argue, make claims and evidence their work and their contribution to knowledge, particularly in the dissertation or project.

The undergraduate dissertation or project is usually the first time that students have to carry out an individual research project. With generally little training given in research skills, the task is daunting. Research and Writing Skills for Dissertations and Projects will be a welcome and engaging resource for these students. As an author of student reference books on research methods and dissertation writing, I am pleased to contribute to this suite of online courses that will provide students with an interactive alternative to reading textbooks. Research activities are a basic ingredient of any academic activity, so this programme will provide an ideal starting point for students to gain the necessary skills.