The masters programme culminates in the dissertation, an extended project that allows the student to engage in independent research, applying and developing the content of the taught modules to a topic of their choice.
The dissertation is prepared for in Semester 2, and is then fully engaged in what is effectively a third semester.
The student's dissertation research is supported by supervision, with the primary emphasis on independent study.
Subject of the dissertation.
The strategy is to guide and support students' independent study so that they complete their dissertation within the time and word length constraints. The starting point is the Dissertation Proposal.
The work is student-led; the Supervisor's role is to provide scholarly guidance on the research process against agreed guidelines.
There will be a maximum of five supervision sessions. In order to make the most of these sessions, the student is expected to:
Send in advance of the session the next section of the research they are working on/plan to work on – for example, literature review – and the issues they wish to address with the Supervisor;
Write notes of supervision discussions and action points derived from each session, date them and forward them to the Supervisor who will acknowledge receipt. These notes should be updated after each session and are intended to provide a cumulative log of Supervision Meeting Notes.
Draw up – in consultation with the Supervisor - a research schedule with mini-deadlines. This must be attached to the Supervision Log and will need to be updated regularly. The Supervisor must have an up to date copy of the Supervision Log.
Students are encouraged to fully use Academic Support.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Supervision | 5 |
| Guided independent study | Independent research | 595 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 600 | |
The assessment is designed to test the students' ability to plan, carry out and write up an advanced piece of research work on a suitable topic in their field of study.
The overall assessment comprises four dimensions matching the Learning Outcomes, and feedback will be recorded on a Dissertation Comments Form.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Write on a topic that reflects the core aims and learning outcomes of their programme, in a style that conforms to all required academic conventions. | Topic selection assessed formatively by Supervisor review of dissertation proposal; All assessed summatively by final dissertation. |
| Conduct independent scholarly research to acquire knowledge of a topic area, by demonstrating an advanced competence in information gathering, critical engagement with sources and sensitivity to the ethical issues surrounding the study of their subject. | Assessed formatively by Supervisor review of bibliography and literature review; formatively again by Supervisor review of sample section and summatively by final dissertation. |
| Exhibit independent critical thinking: demonstrate engagement with theoretical and critical concepts and critically analyse theories in their field. | Assessed formatively by Supervisor commentary on initial literature review, methodology, and research question(s) and/or hypothesis(es); and further by Supervisor review of sample section; and summatively by final dissertation. |
| Apply the material learned on the course to specific issues and in wider contexts, and demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge to an extended piece of analysis. | Assessed formatively by Supervisor commentary on initial literature review, methodology, and research question(s) and/or hypothesis(es); further formatively by Supervisor review of draft introduction, sample chapter and conclusion; and summatively by final dissertation. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Dissertation | 100 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Subject specific.