EDUC3322: Dissertation: Disciplinary Contexts of Education

• EDUC2301 Educational Research Methods or equivalent methods module, relevant to the dissertation topic, from another department.

• None

• None

• To enable students to undertake an extended, independent piece of research (empirical or non-empirical) with an appropriate educational focus.
• To enable students to draw upon the knowledge and understanding developed through the Research Methods module in Year 2, and other relevant education modules, to apply skills, knowledge and understanding in an academically rigorous manner.
• To provide students the opportunity to engage critically with research in relation to their chosen topic.

• Dissertation on a substantial topic in the field of Education, in a topic that is chosen and developed by the student in collaboration with their supervisor and subject to departmental approval.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• On completion the student will demonstrate that they:
• Have a clear understanding of their chosen dissertation topic, both their specific focus and the wider context of their chosen topic.
• Can critically engage with literature related to their chosen topic.
• Are able to clearly articulate the educational focus with their chosen topic.
• Have the ability to carry out research under supervision using an appropriate, ethical and justified research approach.
• Demonstrate appropriate understanding and application of research methodology and methods appropriate for the topic under investigation that is supported by critical engagement with relevant literature.
• Have a clear understanding of and are able to draw on and use relevant educational theory and terminology.
• Present their dissertation, applying the above, in a scholarly fashion that is appropriate for the approach used (e.g., different types of empirical and non-empirical dissertation approaches can be presented in different ways).

Subject-specific Skills:

• Plan and devise a programme of work applicable to investigating the chosen issue or problem.
• Survey and utilise literature relevant to the chosen issue or problem and the programme of work.
• Interpret and critique relevant literature.
• Evaluate arguments and evidence.
• Present theoretical and empirical material in a scholarly and readable manner.

Key Skills:

• Clear and succinct expression in writing and discussion.
• Comprehension of complex ideas and theories.
• Use of reasoned evidence and argument to present a coherent dissertation.
• Identification of appropriate sources of evidence and information.
• Clear and logical identification of the chosen dissertation topic and specific focus of the dissertation topic.
• Reflection on the experience of conducting an extended and independent piece of research.

• Supervision, which monitors the development of the learning outcomes above, and is appropriate to the writing of an independent study.
• Where appropriate, some supervision in small groups may be offered with a specific focus (e.g., at the beginning of the dissertation process and in relation to engagement with the ethical approval process).

Two written formative opportunities; the first will be a 750-word research proposal and the second will be feedback on one chapter (of no more than 2000 words), as decided between student and supervisor. Supervision sessions will be offered to every student by their allocated supervisor where verbal formative feedback can be given on progress.

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