ICE7026 - Empirical Dissertation

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Define and justify appropriate research situated within the relevant literature, with consideration of international practice and/or policy issues.
Negotiate the successful collection of original data from specific source/s in an ethical manner.
Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of the key conceptual, theoretical, methodological and ethical issues in a written dissertation related to a professional interest.
Reflect critically on methodological, theoretical and ethical aspects of social research.
Produce a clear, logical and coherent verbal presentation based on the research undertaken.

Content:

This module will provide students with a postgraduate level of research understanding and training, with a particular focus on policy and practice which will be useful to both students and to their employers. The module builds on the previous module (ICE 7013 Developing Practitioner Enquiry). Students will further develop key areas such as: research design and rationale; research methods and application; ethical issues; data presentation; research analysis; and an understanding of research in policy and practice contexts. Students will undertake an independent piece of research using relevant methodological and theoretical frameworks; adhere to appropriate ethical conventions; demonstrate critical evaluation and synthesis; and execute the dissertation in a timely fashion. The module provides a good range of transferable skills related to social research, which can lead to the development of a PhD research proposal after completion and the possibility of publishing work in a relevant practice related field.

Learning and Teaching Information:

The module will consist of both tutor-led and student-led learning and teaching methods. Students will work more autonomously in this module but will be supported through structured workshops/seminars and through the supervision process with their allocated supervisor. They will draw on the skills and knowledge they have gained through the programme and, through individual study, supervisory meetings and structured seminars, they will engage with and make use of: professional networks; critical reflections; discussions; online forums; tutorials. Students will be able to access activities and resources on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and will be expected to draw on their own professional experience, relevant scholarship, research and their own emerging findings in order to contribute to supervisory and group activities.

The first part of the module will comprise taught sessions, based on developing further understanding of: research approaches, data collection techniques, ethical issues, data analysis and research sensitivity and application within family, policy and practice settings.

Students will engage in a supervised but independently undertaken piece of research. They are expected to take the initiative and manage their own project against agreed guidelines with their supervisor. A supervision log will be kept of all meetings and agreed actions. A minimum of 6 supervision small group or individual meetings should be undertaken during this time. At the end of the module, students will be required to discuss their dissertation in the form of a ten-minute oral presentation. Students should make full use of the academic support provided to them by their supervisor, peers and the resources of the institution.

Taught sessions
Hours: 12
Intended Group size: 12-24

Structured workshops/seminars
Hours: 6
Intended Group size: 12-24

Small group and individual dissertation supervision
Hours: 6
Intended Group size: 1-6

Guided independent study
Hours: 576

Further details relating to assessment
Students will be required to gain ethical approval for their projects, which adheres to the University Code of Research Conduct and Ethics and other applicable research codes of practice relevant to the area of study. Approval of ethical documentation is required from the Ethics Committee before any project can be actioned.

Assessment:

001 Presentation; 1,000 word equiv.; end of term 2 10%
002 Dissertation; 11,000 words; end of term 3 90%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Jeffrey Potter
Level - 7
Credit Value - 60
Pre-Requisites - ICE7013
Semester(s) Offered - 7T1S7T3

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