The Dissertation

Rationale

The Dissertation is a major study demanding of the course member a high level of individual application and commitment to research and enquiry. It provides the course member with the opportunity to identify, reflect on and explore a topic that has implications for his/her own professional development. The Dissertation will involve a critical interrogation of the relationship between professional practice, academic theory and the design, ethics and interpretation of research.

Integral to the Dissertation is a taught component in which students are introduced to a range of techniques which are relevant to their chosen approach to enquiry. Students will be directed by their supervisor to select appropriate elements from a programme to introduce the necessary skills to collect information or data and apply effective approaches to analyse and interpret the information/data. It is expected that students will subsequently need to study and practice specific skills relating to their dissertation in greater detail and under the guidance of their dissertation supervisor.

Learning Outcomes

The course member should demonstrate:

Specify a topic of enquiry suitable for a dissertation and justify its theoretical significance, professional relevance and practical feasibility;
Identify and reflect critically on relevant up-to-date literature, research reports and other scholarly evidence with specific reference to the research process used;
Collect and analyse evidence, justifying the approaches and techniques used, and identify the implications of these choices for the status of the evidence and the findings based upon it;
Examine critically the contribution and limitations of the study undertaken regarding theories and issues relevant to the practices and roles of relevant professionals;
Demonstrate that the study complies with relevant ethical guidelines;
Present work reflecting appropriate academic conventions in relation to style, tone, paragraphing, paraphrasing, sectioning of the text, proof-reading and referencing.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategies

The Dissertation consists of two phases. The first element of research training will comprise of a series of sessions on different techniques for data/ information collection and analysis and interpretation that the student will be guided to select from according to the focus of their intended study area. Delivery in this first phase will be in mixed mode. There will be class contact sessions including presentations and group-based discussion activities along with a significant element of supported self-study. Subsequently, each course member will work with his or her Dissertation supervisor to build their skills in the application of techniques to a level to enable them to apply them successfully in the research study. Students will also modify their research proposal (completed as part of Research Process Course), in light of staff feedback and their own development of ideas and submit this for ethical approval. Students will then move to the second element of the Course actually completing a self-organised research study and write up with ongoing tutor supervision as required.

Indicative Content

The two phases of the Dissertation are designed to assist the course member in the following process:

the selection and clarification of the precise focus of the study;
the development of a detailed proposal including the identification of appropriate research methods, drawing where necessary upon the network of support and expertise available within and outwith the School;
the evaluation of any piloting undertaken;
ongoing refinement of the design of the study, including aspects such as feasibility and ethics;
undertaking the research and analysing the evidence obtained;
presenting the research findings in line with academic conventions.

Assessment

Each participant will submit a refined proposal (4,000 to 5,000 words) for ethical approval. produce a proposal for the Dissertation. The proposal should specify a research question, or set of related research questions, and justify its theoretical significance and professional relevance. It should include a critical review of the relevant literature and propose a strategy for collecting evidence which is suitable for the research question. The likely reliability and validity of the evidence should be discussed along with any ethical considerations which arise from the strategy proposed. There should be a plan and timetable for collecting evidence and writing up the Dissertation and (where applicable) drafts of any data collection instruments which will be needed.

The Dissertation itself will be 15,000 words. It may incorporate, either directly or after amendment, a substantial part of the material contained in the proposal.

Credit Rating

50 SM (Scottish Masters) Level Credits (plus 10 for Planning Research).