The module consists of preparation of the one-page dissertation proposal to be submitted by the end of Week 13. Upon review of the proposal by the Director of Graduate Studies (Taught) the student is allocated to a supervisor. For the rest of the term the student and the supervisor meet and discuss in detail the proposal to identify the relevant literature research methods and actions. By the end of Week 24 the student submits an additional one-page outline of the dissertation with the exact research question, relevant methodological toolbox to address the question and reference to the relevant data (if applicable). The outline is further supported by the condensed list of the core literature.
Total contact hours: 5
Private study hours: 45
Total study hours: 50
Initial Dissertation Proposal (pass/fail)
Revised Dissertation Proposal (pass/fail)
• Biggam, John. Succeeding With Your Master's Dissertation: A Step-By-Step Handbook. 4th Edition. Open University Press, McGraw-Hill Education, 2018
• Wallace, Mike and Alison Wray. Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates. 3rd Edition. Sage Publications Ltd, 2016
• Ridley, Diana. The Literature Review: A Step-By-Step Guide for Students. 2nd Edition, Sage Publications Ltd, 2012
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
• identify the dissertation topic and the relevant literature in the advanced specialized context of the chosen field
• critically select relevant theoretical and/or empirical methods from a wide range of complex techniques
• identify and use relevant data innovatively synthesizing multiple data sources, whenever applies
• produce a road-map outline for a dissertation showing deep and systematic reflection on current debates and practices
• ask stimulating research questions by critically assessing gaps in significant areas of theory and practice
• contribute to existing research debates through proposing own transformative solutions
• bridge advanced research questions with high-performance applied and professional work
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