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MPA Dissertation

Module description

This module will provide you with an opportunity to conduct independent research-based academic work in the area of Public Administration or in the sub-discipline in which you wish to pursue further research or your career.

Working with an academic supervisor, you will produce an original piece of academic research relating to a subject of your choice. The topic can be related to any aspect of the topics covered in the MPA and your interests and can be an academic and/or policy related piece of work. As one way of doing the dissertation it can address a particular issue or problem that you or your organisation has identified in your place of work. In this way, you will be able to research and write about any new or difficult public sector management issue related to your work environment and produce a dissertation that will include recommendations of practical use to your employer or potential employer.

Module aims - intentions of the module

1. To provide students with an opportunity to conduct independent research-based academic work in the area of Public Administration or in the sub-discipline in which they wish to pursue further research or their career 
2. To develop students' ability to apply originality and analytical skills alongside theory and practice to a specific research topic. This may be workplace based. 
3. To enhance students awareness of the methodological, ethical and practical concerns of social science research in the field of public administration and specific examples of public sector management

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge in depth of a specialised subject area;
• 2. Design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate social science research methods;
• 3. 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...

• 4. Assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources;
• 5. Develop cogent argument;
• 6. Communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing;

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 7. Undertake an individual research project;
• 8. Use IT for information retrieval and presentation; and
• 9. Manage own work.

Syllabus plan

1. Research project skills workshops over two days to prepare students. 
2. At least four supervision meetings: one to discuss the research project plan, followed by three meetings to give academic guidance including specific feedback on draft work.

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)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

G King, R Keohane and S Verba, (1994); Designing Social Inquiry, Princeton UP 
D Burton (ed), (2000) Research Training for Social Scientists: A Handbook for Postgraduate Researchers, Sage.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Indicative web based resources e.g.ELE: 
The module will be supported by ELE materials, including study skills materials and guidance.  Subject-specific reading will varying according to research topic

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Subject-specific reading will varying according to research topic

Key words search

Politics, Dissertation