SOCI43460: Dissertation

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• The purpose of the dissertation is to give students the opportunity to work on a suitable subject of their own choice and to utilise the techniques developed in the research modules. An MA dissertation is designed to assess a students ability to define a researchable thesis in the light of past and current academic research. Students need to demonstrate a capacity for independent thought and to use their critical and analytical abilities, including the use of appropriate research methods, in the interpretation of a substantial quantity of relevant material (empirical and theoretical). Further, they need to be able to write up the results of any research carried out in an extended and coherent form, paying close attention to matters of structure in addition to normal expectations regarding referencing and bibliographic information.

• A supervised research project

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Have demonstrated a systematic knowledge of existing scholarship in their chosen field of study;

Subject-specific Skills:

• Have demonstrated a systematic knowledge of alternative ways of approaching sociological / social policy research questions;
• Where empirical work is involved have demonstrated an awareness of ethical issues in social research, and of the importance of reflexivity about their own role as researcher;

Key Skills:

• Have demonstrated self-direction and originality in tackling and solving research questions from their degree's discipline;
• Have worked autonomously (under the direction of their supervisor) in planning, executing, analysing and writing-up a piece of discipline-specific research;
• Have demonstrated independent learning ability, the exercise of initiative and skills in written communication.

• During periods of online teaching, for asynchronous lectures in particular, planned lecture hours may include activities that would normally have taken place within the lecture itself had it been taught face-to-face in a lecture room, and/or those necessary to adapt the teaching and learning materials effectively to online learning.
• Students will receive one to one supervision with a member of academic staff.
• Assessment will be by one summative dissertation

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