The module will serve to provide students with an overview of the scope and expectations of a dissertation at MA-level. We discuss the ethical challenges of doing empirical research in the 21st century, and prepare students for carrying out an independent piece of research within a given timeframe. If the dissertation requires ethical research approval, an application will be submitted to the School research ethics committee.
Total contact hours: 6
Private study hours: 44
Total study hours: 50
Compulsory to the following programmes:
* Criminology MA
* International Social Policy MA
Methods of Social Research MA
Sociology MA
* 'Two year Masters' versions of the programme above
Main assessment methods
This module is assesses on a pass/fail basis, and comprises a portfolio of research activities (100%).
Reassessment methods
Like-for-like
Biggam, J (2011), Succeeding with your master's dissertation, Open University Press
Flick, U., (2020), Introducing Research Methodology: Thinking Your Way Through Your Research Project. Sage.
Hart, C (2005), Doing your master's dissertation, Sage
Kara, H., (2018), Research ethics in the real world: Euro-Western and Indigenous perspectives. Policy Press.
Levin, P., (2012), Excellent dissertations! McGraw-Hill Education (UK). (available online)
Miller, T., Birch, M., Mauthner, M. and Jessop, J. eds., (2012), Ethics in qualitative research. Sage.
Walliman, N., (2019), Your Research Project: Designing, Planning, and Getting Started. SAGE
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Develop original ideas on complex topics into focussed research questions that relate to an identified academic literature, aligned to an appropriate research design;
2. Be able to critically reflect on the ethical issues raised by social research, and to autonomously develop research designs that are both ethical in a broader, critical sense and which (more narrowly) meet the requirements of research ethics governance;
3. Critically engage with the methodological choices made in published research studies based on a systematic understanding of appropriate research techniques.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Manage their time, prioritise workloads and manage stress as well taking responsibility for their learning and professional development;
2. Solve problems that are common in social research;
3. Understand and appropriately respond to feedback.
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