Content:

This module draws together preparation work done in SOC 5042 Contemporary Research Techniques 2 and in SOC 5222 Professional Development and Placement. In SOC 5042 Contemporary Research Methods 2 the final assignment is to develop and design an original research project that will be carried out to completion within SOC 6044 Dissertation as its principal output. In SOC 5222 Professional Development and Placement students will have developed a career plan and professional experiences that will inform the nature and purpose of their report, so that SOC 6044 will have been designed to develop employability and appropriate professional experience.
The design of this project will also have been informed by the earlier research modules in the strand: SOC 4042 Contemporary Research Techniques 1 (on statistics and data visualization) and in 5042 Contemporary Research Techniques 2 (on the use of statistical survey software).
The project designed for implementation in SOC 6044 should draw upon and continue themes and topics explored in the earlier academic strand and thus constitute specialist study of and contribution to the chosen area.
During Semester 1, students will work on their projects, supported by workshops with other students and individual meetings with a member of staff assigned to supervise the project.
During Semester 2, students will work on analyzing the data gathered and presenting / writing up the results.
Students will keep a notebook throughout the module and will use this, as they complete the project, to write a reflective report on the process of undertaking and completing the work, again supported by workshops with other students and individual meetings with the assigned staff member supervising the project.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Individual supervisors for SOC 6044 will have been allocated during the initial design phase of the research project within SOC 5042 Contemporary Research.

During Semester 1, students will have general workshops focusing on: reviewing and finalising the research plan; ethical considerations, and the conduct of the research and its presentation. These will be supported by individual tutorial meetings to finalise their project proposals and discuss the delivery of the research project. During Semester 2, students will work on analysing the data gathered and presenting/writing up the results.

Students will keep a notebook throughout the module and will use this, as they complete the project, to write a reflective report on the process of undertaking and completing the work, again supported by workshops with other students and individual meetings with the assigned staff member supervising the project.

Workshops
Hours: 14
intended Group size: 30

Individual meetings with supervisor
Hours: 3

Guided independent study
Hours: 383

Further details relating to assessment
The University’s rules and requirements on the ethical conduct of research will apply to this module. Students will be advised to consult the University’s ‘Research Conduct and Ethics Assurance Procedures document (Appendix B)’, submitting their title and outline proposal to the LTU Ethics Panel, if necessary during the level 5 module, SOC 5042.

Other relevant matters
This module draws directly upon preparatory work done in SOC 5042 Contemporary Research 2 where the final assignment is to develop and design an original research project that will be completed within SOC 6044 Professional Research Project.

Assessment:

001 1 x report 80%
002 1 x Reflective Report 1000 words 20%