Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to develop further, students' oral communication skills through seminars and meetings, singly and in groups, with members of academic staff. Depending on topic and methodology, students will gain additional practice in (among other things) using equipment, carrying out field or laboratory experiments, interviewing or qualitative field techniques, skills in statistical analysis and computer modelling.

Outline content:
Students have a free choice of dissertation topic, which they choose and refine in consultation with a dissertation tutor. Students submit a provisional topic in Week 6 of Term 5 and dissertation tutors are assigned in Week 7 of Term 5, on the basis of the submitted topic. Students meet with their dissertation tutors in groups and as individuals at the end of Term 5 and in Term 6, after Part 2 examinations. Dissertation tutors advise on academic literature, data sources, and research methods. Reading requirements depend on the dissertation topics, however, the students should aim to include about 5 peer reviewed research papers or monographs per 1000 words of text into the literature review. The Internet is an important source of data including statistical data and the latest governmental, inter-governmental, and business documents. However, material from web sources is not considered an acceptable substitute for the published literature and the use of web material instead of peer reviewed papers and books for referencing does not fall within standards considered to be sufficiently academic and is, therefore, strongly discouraged. By Week 6 of Term 6, students produce a written research proposal that has to be approved by their dissertation tutor and a second marker. The students are notified about the mark for the research proposal in Week 8 of Term 6. Research and writing-up extends over a period from the end of Term 6 to the end of the 5th week of Term 8. Students are expected to maintain a web-based research journal recording their progress and submit a written outline of research progress in Week 3 of Term 7. These will be assessed by the dissertation supervisor. The students meet individually with their dissertation tutors in Terms 7 and 8 at regular intervals to review progress and discuss the organisation of the dissertation. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 100 hours on data collection and analysis, and the data presented in the dissertation should be commensurate with at least this level of effort. As the dissertation is an independent research project, staff do not read and appraise draft dissertations. The dissertation is submitted at the end of the 5th week of Term 8.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
A lecture is given in Term 5, outlining the dissertation process and giving guidance on the initial selection of research topic. Each student attends a tutorial individually or as part of a group with their dissertation tutor, to discuss general matters and evaluate students' initial ideas. Thereafter, in Terms 6, 7 and 8 students meet on an individual basis with their dissertation tutors at mutually convenient times. The frequency and duration of the meetings vary according to the research needs; however, meeting each two weeks is appropriate. Students working abroad on the Erasmus scheme maintain a regular email contact with the supervisor. Additional lectures and help sessions focusing on frequently used techniques and frequently asked questions are offered in Terms 6 and 7. The exact topics and number of lectures depend on the needs of the student.

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework equivalent of 12,500 words.
The coursework and its assessment are organised as a four stage process:
Stage One: Students submit A 1500 word dissertation proposal, following a pro-forma, outlining the topic, relevant literature and methodology in Week 6 of Term 6. This is assessed by the dissertation supervisor and a second marker and awarded a mark that will contribute 10% to the overall dissertation mark. The mark is returned to the student in Week 8 of Term 6. A mark of 40% and above constitutes approval of the project. Approval in this context will mean that the project is viable and is not an indicator of the quality of the project proposed. If a student achieves a mark of less than 40%, they would be required to resubmit and would only be awarded a mark of 40% on the second submission. The revised proposal should be submitted and marked by the end of Term 6. If the student fails to resubmit or achieves another fail mark then they will be deemed to have failed Part 3. Dissertations are assessed against the original research proposal. However, students can amend or change their dissertation proposals after submission in cases where circumstances beyond their control precluded them carrying out the original project. This should be agreed with the supervisor. Re-assessment of the new proposal by the supervisor and a second marker may be required.
Stage Two: Students complete a record of progress in the form of an online research journal covering the period of summer vacation. Each entry is time and date stamped. Supervisors will be able to view the log at any time. The log accounts for approximately 1000 words. Students working abroad on Erasmus scheme keep the online journal during the period of their absence from the Department.
Stage Three: Student submit a short (one A4 sheet; 500 words) written outline of research progress to their supervisor in Week 3 of Term 7. The report is discussed by the dissertation student and dissertation tutor at a compulsory meeting in Week 4, Term 7.
The research journal and the written progress report carry 10% towards the overall assessment mark.
Stage Four: Completion and submission of the dissertation contributing 80% of the overall assessment. The dissertation, due at the end of the 5th week of Term 8, must not exceed 10 000 words.
Dissertations are marked independently by two members of staff, one of whom will be the dissertation supervisor of the student concerned and the other is the second marker of the dissertation proposal. If the two marks differ substantially, a third staff member is asked to mark the dissertation. Every effort is made to reach a consensus among at least two markers as to the appropriate mark for each submission.

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%
Examinations
None
Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall.
Reassessment arrangements
Resubmission of coursework as specified by the Department

Last updated: 23 November 2009