Dissertation
| Module title | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Module code | LAW3047C |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Mr Mark Mackarel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 12 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 35 |
|---|
Module description
The Dissertation module is focused around researching and writing an extended piece of legal analysis (10,000 words) in the style of an academic journal article.
The module provides a supportive framework for students to develop their field of study, undertake the research and planning of their paper, to build on established legal writing skills and to explore and test their ideas through the supervision process.
The module includes avenues of formative and summative feedback to ensure consistent student engagement throughout the academic year and for the organic development of student knowledge and skills centred around their research project.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth independent study of a legal problem or topic of particular interest under supervision. The research project takes the form of library research and is expected to address a research question, and therefore is designed as a platform for you to demonstrate evidence of ability critically to evaluate primary and secondary legal materials and material from other sources as appropriate.
The dissertation aims to provide evidence of your ability to produce in-depth analysis in a clearly structured extended piece of legal writing such as is found in academic legal and socio-legal journals. As such, the module is an excellent platform for students contemplating further study at postgraduate level, but also provides good evidence of an individual’s research skills, innovation, intellect, reliability and self-motivation.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Identify, define and construct a critical analysis of a discrete research topic in Law;
- 2. Identify and define key research questions and hypotheses about the chosen research topic;
- 3. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the selected legal issues acquired through independent research and study.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Integrate and assess information from a comprehensive range of relevant legal materials;
- 5. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of a range of complex legal issues and their contextual implications, where relevant;
- 6. Evaluate critically the materials considered and used for the dissertation.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Plan and undertake tasks efficiently, to reflect critically on the learning process and to make effective use of feedback from the supervision process;
- 8. Work independently, to manage time efficiently and meet strict deadlines;
- 9. Develop and structure an argument over a sustained piece of writing and in an effective manner.
Syllabus plan
Students will be asked to select their field of study from a range of subject areas offered by staff, and then to agree an initial legal area / title to be taken forward with that supervisor. Having reached agreement with staff over supervision, students will begin an introductory research phase to narrow down and refine their field of study to a preliminary working title.
Students will meet with their supervisor on a mutually agreed basis (not less than three meetings per term) to plan and discuss their research, analysis and writing. Students will also be supported by specific teaching materials (which may include group workshops) for guidance and advice on: managing and structuring the dissertation; research using databases and library resources; preparing the Research Report (see below); referencing; and effective writing. Students will receive regular formative advice and feedback through the individual and group supervision activities.
Midway through the module, students will submit a Research Report (2,000 words). This work is summatively assessed and enables students to demonstrate and test their interim progress with their dissertation. The Research Report will have a required format that will be clearly set out to students and which might include: a brief overview of the topic of the dissertation; placing the research area in its legal context; the central research issues considered in the paper; the research methodology; a brief review of the central literature and sources available in the field of study; reflections on particular challenges or problems with your research or the topic and how they may be addressed; some preliminary observations about your findings or possible conclusions; and an indicative bibliography of important sources and materials that will be referred to in your dissertation.
Thereafter, it is anticipated that students will focus on independently developing and writing up their dissertation with support from their supervisor, group sessions and independent planning. Students will be expected to prepare their final submission as if they are submitting their work to a peer-reviewed journal and the assessment will include consideration of how the journal reviewers might consider the submission.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 285 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 3 | Individual supervision meetings; the expectation being a minimum of three meetings each term |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 12 | Research training |
| Guided Independent Study | 39 | Identifying and locating research materials |
| Guided Independent Study | 123 | Carrying out research, reading and taking notes |
| Guided Independent Study | 123 | Drafting and writing up |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussion of research and analysis development through individual supervision meetings and in the context of group workshops | At least three meetings per term | 1-2, 4, 6-9 | Individual oral and/or written feedback from supervisor during supervision meetings as set out in the module handbook |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research Report | 20 | 2,000 words | 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 | Written feedback sheet and individual meeting with supervisor |
| Dissertation | 80 | 8,000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback and (if needed), individual meeting with supervisor |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research report | Research report (2,000 words) | 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Dissertation | Dissertation (8,000 words) (100%) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Re-assessment notes
Students who fail the dissertation module will be required to submit a reworked paper on the same topic to reflect on and learn from the feedback they will have received on the dissertation as submitted at first instance.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
B Allison and P Race, The Student’s Guide to Preparing Dissertations and Theses (Routledge Cavendish 2004)
R Banaker and M Travers, Theory and Method in Socio-Legal Research (Hart, 2005)
J Bell, Doing your Research Project (4th edn, Open University Press 2005)
L Blaxter and C Hughes, How to Research (3rd edn, Open University Press 2006)
J Grix, The Foundations of Research (Palgrave 2004)
E Higgins & L Tatham, Successful Legal Writing (3rd edn, Sweet and Maxwell 2015)
J Knowles, Effective Legal Research (4th edn, Sweet and Maxwell 2016)
M McConville, Research Methods for Law (Edinburgh University Press 2007)
N Salkind, Exploring Research (7th edn, Prentice Hall 2009)
M Salter and J Mason, Writing Law Dissertations: an Introduction and Guide to the Conduct of Legal Research
(Longman, 2007)
D Stott, Legal Research (2nd edn, Routledge Cavendish 1999)
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/1997 |
| Last revision date | 31/01/2022 |
