SED7006 - Dissertation/Major Study

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Devise and implement plans to effectively conduct and manage either a piece of empirical research or a major evaluation of existing research, with regards to an issue significant to the relevant disciplines of Education, Childhood, or Family Support.
Identify, précis and synthesise relevant key literature and interpret and critically analyse research sources to draw justified conclusions to inform the conduct of either a piece of empirical research or a major evaluation of existing research, with regards to an issue significant to the relevant disciplines of Education, Childhood, or Family Support.
Define and employ appropriate methodologies and methods relevant to either a piece of empirical research or a major evaluation of existing research, with regards to an issue significant to the relevant disciplines of Education, Childhood, or Family Support, including (where appropriate) the collection, interpretation and critical analysis of data.
Critically evaluate and judge the outcomes of own study in order to report on findings and conclusions that synthesise literature and findings, to draw justified conclusions to inform policy and/or practice.

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. Students will further develop understanding in 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 or review 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; and 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.

Individual Supervision
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 1

Taught Sessions
Hours: 30
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 560

Further details relating to assessment
Students will be required to gain ethical approval where appropriate for their projects, which adheres to the University's Research Ethics Policy 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 data collection can be actioned. Students are provided with a set of writing guidelines to support the structure of the assessed dissertation.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Charlotte Wright
Level - 7
Credit Value - 60
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 7PGS1S7PGYL

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