ADMRPR: Reflective Practice Report

Module code: ADMRPR

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 60

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Professor Henny Osbahr , email: h.osbahr@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Sarah Cardey, email: s.p.cardey@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): Before taking this module, you must have successfully completed the taught component of the programme. (Open)This module is only available to MSc Applied International Development students. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: Micro placement

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

For those who take up an independent relevant micro-placement during their year of study, they have an option of writing up an independent reflective report based on the placement, incorporating research and practice in an applied setting. This report substitutes the dissertation component. The theme can be developed with the support of an academic supervisor. It will provide an opportunity to apply appropriate research and analytical skills to produce a written reflective report based in the subject area of your applied international development placement.

The module will enhance the student’s ability to use the knowledge, understanding and skills developed previously across his or her programme, integrating these in the reflective write up based around the linked micro-placement topic.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate acquisition of detailed knowledge and understanding on a specialist subject
2. Present a succinct synthesis and review of theoretical and empirical literature relating to their chosen topic
3. Offer reflection on the applied nature of practice, relating to this topic, based on experience of a micro-placement in the development sector
4. Present a systematic and carefully structured reflective analysis of the applied practice
5. Apply cognitive skills, including analysis and argument, to draw relevant and defensible conclusions and show how these are related to both the existing discourse but also applied practice
6. Write a substantial and well-structured report to defined standards of presentation including comprehensive and accurate referencing.
7. Development of time management skills
8. Development of skills in using computer software for production, editing and presentation of documents.

Module content

The student will select, with appropriate guidance from academic staff and input from their placement organisation, a topic of interest to them and of academic/professional relevance to their degree programme and placement. This will be discussed with both the organisation and their supervisor. The appointed supervisor and organisation will provide academic and professional guidance and support to the student during preparation and write up of their report during the summer. The student will submit the completed report by the date in early September specified in his or her Programme Handbook.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Individual research; meetings with supervisor and placement organisation; submission of and feedback on draft written material; email contact between supervisor and student. There will be practice-based learning involved. The number and conduct of meetings will be determined by supervisor and student so the contact hours below are indicative only.

This module is completed as coursework. The report is between 10,000 and 14,000 words, conforming to guidelines given in Programme Handbook, to be submitted by the end of the first week of September. It is mandatory that the student takes note of and fully complies with the universit