During their first terms students will select the topic for their research project. Students will then complete a written plan for their research project and where fieldwork or other empirical research is concerned, complete the ethical review checklist, with advice from their dissertation supervisor during term 2 (or Term 3 for part-time students). The proposal will then be assessed and the ethical review checklist sent to the Tizard Ethics committee for approval.
At least one day a week is set aside for data collection during term 3 and two or three days per week after the end of term 3, for the full-time (one-year) students. There is equivalent time spread over the two years for the part-time students.
This module's objectives are primarily about the acquisition of professionally relevant applied research skills. Students are supported to develop their research plans in consultation with their dissertation supervisor. They discuss the ethical issues with supervisors and submit their proposal to the Tizard Ethics committee. During term 3 there are dissertation seminars at which students present their plans and their findings to their classmates and a member of the teaching staff. These processes of supervised practice with feedback assist students to constantly review and adapt their work as required.
MA Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic Issues
Main assessment methods
a. Coursework:
i. Dissertation proposal (8%)
ii. 20,000 word dissertation (92%)
Reassessment methods
Like for like.
This module's objectives are primarily about the acquisition of professionally relevant applied research skills. Students are supported to develop their research plans in consultation with their dissertation supervisor. They discuss the ethical issues with supervisors and submit their proposal to the Tizard Ethics committee. During term 3 there are dissertation seminars at which students present their plans and their findings to their classmates and a member of the teaching staff. These processes of supervised practice with feedback assist students to constantly review and adapt their work as required.
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
8.1 Conduct an initial literature review and identify detailed research questions.
8.2 Design a research study or a review outline, selecting appropriate methodology and techniques for analysis.
8.3 Consider any ethical issues involved and resolve them.
8.4 Where appropriate, students will learn to negotiate service access, seek consent as appropriate. and conduct the data collection.
8.5 Conduct the data analysis, policy analysis or literature review using appropriate methods.
8.6 Write up the dissertation relating findings to the wider literature and to government policy if appropriate.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
9.1 Skills commensurate with postgraduate study in online and face to face presentations and debate verbally, in written and electronic format
and in the use of research and empirical data.
9.2 Gathering library and web based research and resources on child protection issues at a level appropriate for postgraduate study.
9.3 Be able to synthesise and evaluate complex knowledge and theoretical perspectives from different disciplines and countries.
9.4 Learn to use IT resources to follow up what they hear in recorded online lectures and what they read in web-based material.
9.5 Learn to summarise their reading coherently in order to contribute to web based discussions.
9.6 Organise and manage their studying independently with online and phone support from their tutor.
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
