Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Oral Presentation (A 10 minute oral presentation, in which students outline the research they have undertaken) | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Written Dissertation (A research dissertation of a maximum of 12000 words) | 90% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Script for an Oral Presentation (Outlining the research they have undertaken) | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written Dissertation (Resubmission of failed research dissertation 12000 words) | 90% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Plan, design and execute a piece of rigorous social science research.
2. Undertake research to high standards, including the collection of primary and/or secondary data (as appropriate).
3. Analyse research findings in a rigorous manner, employing appropriate techniques and analysing the results in the context of existing knowledge and theories.
4. Produce a substantial written dissertation in an appropriate academic style.
5. Demonstrate self-motivation, planning and initiative in working on an advanced project independently.
Brief description
his module takes the form of a student-led advanced independent research project. An appropriate topic will be proposed by the student and approved by the supervisor and/or dissertation module coordinator. The project involves five stages: (i) the identification of a research topic and development of an appropriate research plan; (ii) empirical research to collect primary data and/or collate information from secondary sources, as appropriate for the research issue; (iii) the analysis of data and information, including the interpretation of findings in the context of existing knowledge and theories; (iv) the delivery of an assessed presentation; and (v) the production of a 12000 word dissertation.
Content
Large-group sessions will be provided by the module coordinator to introduce students to the module and the aims of the dissertation.
Supervisors will hold formal project supervision meetings with students at the end of the second year and during the third year. These meetings will be a mixture of one-to-one and small-group meetings.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | If appropriate to the selected research topic, students may develop numerical skills through the collection, analysis and presentation of quantitative data. |
| Communication | Written communication skills are developed through the production of the dissertation. Oral communication skills are developed through the presentation. They may also be developed through empirical research where verbal research methods are employed (e.g. interviews and questionnaires). |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The intensive period of self-directed study undertaken on this module will provide students with an excellent opportunity to improve their own independent learning skills. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to employ appropriate IT resources in identifying data sources and collecting data (e.g. internet, electronic information resources), in data analysis (e.g. statistical packages), in producing the final dissertation (e.g. word processing and/or GIS and mapping packages), and in preparing and delivering the oral presentation. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Personal development and career planning will be developed through discussions with the student’s dissertation supervisor who will also act as the student’s personal tutor. In addition, the generic skills developed in the dissertation will have significant transferability to a wide range of career contexts. |
| Problem solving | Problem solving skills are developed through the identification of research questions, an appropriate methodology and research plan, and through responses to difficulties experienced during data collection. |
| Research skills | Research skills are developed through the collection and analysis of data appropriate for investigation of the research questions. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Subject specific skills will be developed and assessed in this module. They will vary depending on the nature of the dissertation proposed. |
| Team work | These skills are not developed through this module. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6