Dissertation Skills
| Module title | Dissertation Skills |
|---|---|
| Module code | POLM876 |
| Academic year | 2023/4 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Gabriel Katz Wisel (Lecturer) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 80 |
|---|
Module description
The dissertation is a core part of a Masters degree and this module ensures that you are ready to take on the challenges involved. A dissertation is not a long essay. It has a certain number of core components that must be evident to varying degrees. Like a good essay, it must demonstrate research skills, independent learning, good organization of complex material and clarity and erudite expression. But a Masters dissertation will be driven primarily by your own interests, the questions you devise and the material you want to research. This module will help you structure that process and it will equip you well for further research, at PhD level or in professional employment. So, the skills you learn on this module will be integral to your future careers. You will learn how to devise a manageable research question, locate your ideas in existing debates, how to conduct a literature review and plan the research, and how to develop proposals and write extended pieces of work.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aims of this module are to equip you with the professional skills needed to conduct an extended piece of research and writing. You will have the time and guidance to engage deeply with core debates across the sub-disciplines of politics, equipping you well with practical skills and contributing to your intellectual development. On successful completion of this module you should be a confident and independent researcher.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate social science research methods.
- 2. collate and analyse subject-specific information from a range of appropriate sources
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. develop the skills requisite to conducting an extended piece of academic writing, including: devising a research question, proposal and literature review; organizing and summarizing key literatures, debates, ideas and controversies.
- 4. locate your own research in key disciplinary debates, controversies and developments.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. use IT for information retrieval and presentation.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
1. Elements of a research proposal
2. Devising a research question
3. Planning and writing a literature review
4. Deciding on your approach/methodology
5. Workshopping your ideas
6. Refining the proposal
7. The writing process
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 136 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 14 | 7 x 2 hour lectures |
| Guided independent study | 40 | reading in preparation for the lectures |
| Guided independent study | 16 | web-based research |
| Guided independent study | 80 | writing of research proposal and literature review |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research proposal | 600 words | 1-5 | Written and or oral feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Literature review | 100 | 3,500 words | 1-5 | Written and or oral feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Literature review | Literature review (3,500 words) | 1-5 | Next reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Burton, D.(ed)(2000)Research Training for Social Scientists SAGE. Dunleavy, P.(2003)Authoring a PhD. Palgrave MacMillan.
Harrison, L.(2001)Political Research: An Introduction. Routledge.
Hay, C.(2002)Political Analysis: An Introduction Palgrave MacMillan.
King, G, Keohane, R.O.and Verba,S. (1994) Designing Social Inquiry Princeton University Press.
Burnham, P.,Gilland,K.,Grant, W.and Layton-Henry,Z.(2004) Research Methods in Politics Palgrave MacMillan. Marsh, D.and Stoker, G.(eds)(2002)Theory and Methods in Political Science 2nd edition Palgrave MacMillan.
Silbergh, D.M.(2001) Doing Dissertations in Politics Routledge.
Silverman, D.(ed)(2004)Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice SAGE.
Turabian, K.(1996) A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations Chicago,IL: University of Chicago Press.
Wisker, G.(2001)The Postgraduate Research Handbook Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
http://www.ex.ac.uk/gradschool/skill_sessions_descript.htm
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 7 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2008 |
| Last revision date | 03/11/2020 |
