Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
Due to Covid-19 students should refer to the module Blackboard pages for assessment details
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Dissertation (12,000-15,000 words) | 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment to those that led to failure of the module. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Define a clear research question, based on an in-depth and critical understanding of their specialist area of study.
2. Perform the procedures necessary to carry out a piece of research.
3. Explain and analyse quantitative or qualitative data, as appropriate.
4. Synthesise the findings of their research with relevant knowledge in the specialist area of study.
5. Communicate the findings of the research in a scholarly manner.
Brief description
This module involves the completion of a substantial piece of independent research, under the supervision of a member of faculty. The supervisor will advise within the general framework and limits operated for postgraduate dissertations within the School. Dissertations will be expected to show evidence of an appropriate range of reading, which complements the original research content.
Content
The contents of the Dissertation are different for each student. Students propose a topic for their Dissertation which is subject to approval by the designated supervisor. Dissertations must set clear objectives and research questions, sustain a coherent and well-developed argument, and be presented in a scholarly manner.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | - Support assertions/arguments with appropriately developed and presented numerical data - Calculate and use descriptive statistics - Run and interpret empirical techniques e.g. regression and the associated robustness checks |
| Communication | - Develop clarity and focus of written communication via development of dissertation - Develop and use appropriate subject-specific vocabulary in written communication - Communicate the findings of the research in a scholarly manner |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | - Identify and distil the key issues covered by other modules - Specialize in one area/ topic - Identify and use a range of learning resources - Structure self- study to accommodate intensive learning |
| Information Technology | - Use a variety of electronic web- and library-based resources to review available information and retrieve pertinent information - Use spreadsheet software (e.g., for ease of tabulated numerical calculations, production of summary statistics, production of graphs, etc.) - Use software to run the empirical estimations (e.g. SPSS, Microfit, Stata) |
| Personal Development and Career planning | On completion of the dissertations, students will have demonstrated that they possess a range of research skills- and have demonstrated an in-depth and critical understanding of a specialist area of study. Necessary for any career in academia or any career plan that requires the research skill set. |
| Problem solving | - Identify the precise problem/topic to be studied - Assess which data are pertinent to the problem/ topic - Recognize that alternative solution methods might be available - Select and apply appropriate methods to study the problem/topic - Assess the reasonableness of problem solutions and interpret those solutions |
| Research skills | - Identify which information sources are available to facilitate understanding, wider reading of the topic and provide data, which allow application of models to synthesize findings of research. - Properly reference/attribute information sources |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students undertake a piece of in-depth research into a selected topic. |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7