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Energy Policy Dissertation

Module description

The dissertation is an opportunity to consolidate the understanding of energy issues and research techniques you have developed across the programme within an independent and original research project.

It is the single largest piece of work you will do on the programme, and allows you to develop, with appropriate guidance and supervision, your own independent, high quality and substantial research into a subject of your choice.

Projects can either be self-generated or developed in conversation with supervisors and external partners. Students will work with the module convenor to identify appropriate project supervisors.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The dissertation is an opportunity to consolidate the understanding of energy issues and research techniques you have developed across the programme within an independent and original research project. It is the single largest piece of work you will complete on the programme and allows you to develop, with appropriate guidance and supervision, your own independent, high quality and substantial research into a subject of your choice relating to an energy system challenge or set of challenges.

The dissertation module aims to develop skills in formulating appropriate research questions, planning and conducting an independent research programme and appropriate set of methods, collecting primary and/or secondary data, analysing and interpreting results, and presenting findings. The best dissertations will make an original contribution to a clearly defined area of research with relevance to contemporary and/or past historic energy challenges.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Develop a suitable research question
• 2. Identify appropriate methodologies to answer the identified research problem
• 3. Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding of knowledge on a chosen energy policy topic

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Collect, collate and organize data
• 5. Critically analyse energy policy issues
• 6. Design and execute an independent research project

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 7. Communicate your research effectively both orally (i.e. in supervisory meetings) and in writing
• 8. Identify and solve problems throughout the research and write-up process
• 9. Organise and effectively present material and ideas in different formats
• 10. Manage deadlines and targets
• 11. Learn independently
• 12. Develop methodological and research skills

Syllabus plan

Throughout Term 2, initial dissertation ideas can be discussed with the module leader and (if appropriate) additional project supervisors. Guidance will be provided in formal lectures and group briefing sessions. The development of your ideas and research project design will be informed by undertaking a critical review of relevant literature. A detailed dissertation proposal, risk assessment and ethics forms will also be completed.

In Term 3, you will be expected to work independently, arranging meetings with your supervisor on an individual basis. Other staff will be available by arrangement for other specialist advice if required. Writing up will take place in June and July, with completion and hand-in of a dissertation reporting on your analytical work due in August.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to resubmit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Bell, J (2005) Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science, Open University Press.
• Burns, R (2000) Introduction to Research Methods, Sage.
• Clifford, N and Valentine, G (2003) Key Methods in Geography, Sage.
• Cook, I and Crang, M (1995) Doing Ethnographies, Sage.
• Cresswell, J (2003) Research Design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, Sage.
• Peter, J (2000) Analysing Public Policy, Continuum.
• Rose, G. (2001) Visual Methodologies, Sage.
• Wheeler, D, Shaw, G and Barr, S (2004) Statistical Techniques in Geographical Analysis, Fulton.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE

Key words search

Independent, research, data sources, theoretical, study, time management, problem solving, research design, research, methodology, dissertation, project