| Unit name | MRes Economics Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | ECONM0020 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Professor. Yazici |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Economics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The dissertation is an extended report of an independent study that identifies and investigates a particular question and explores it systematically over a sustained period of time. The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to read extensively and apply research skills acquired in taught units to a chosen area of study in Economics. Student learning is supported by regular individual supervision sessions, although the expectation is that the dissertation is primarily an individual piece of work.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The dissertation is the culmination of the programme, where you get an opportunity to apply all the knowledge you acquired to a research project of your choice. It is a first step towards becoming an independent researcher in Economics.
An overview of content
You will produce a piece of independent research, on a topic of your choice, with the guidance of an academic supervisor. The student will agree a topic with a supervisor and begin work in TB2 of the 2nd year, handing in the dissertation at the end of August of that year.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This will be the first extended piece of independent research you produce. In doing that, you will begin to learn what doing research at doctoral level means.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the dissertation, students will demonstrate ability to:
The dissertation will involve asynchronous and synchronous elements, including a programme of research and writing guidance, and one-to-one consultation and feedback from the designated supervisor. There will be workshops such as sessions on library resources as well as statistical software. Students are expected to manage their time and pursue their research independently. Learning will be further supported by workshops for students and the opportunity for those working on their dissertation to meet to share work-in-progress and support one another.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Supervisors will at first provide guidance on how to structure the research and an outline for the dissertation. There will be regular meetings and progress will be monitored on several parts of the dissertation. Students will get training on library resources, software, and how to prepare a literature review. The School offers as many as six, but never less than four research seminars per week during term time. Students will therefore have the opportunity to see how mature researchers structure and present their research, to hear about research close to their own interests, and to develop research networks.
Before submission time, supervisors will read and provide feedback on one full draft of the dissertation. Provided the draft is submitted within guidelines, the supervisor will respond with feedback within 14 days. Feedback should provide detail on the requirements for improvement.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The student will produce a research proposal by mid-TB2. (15%) (ILO 1-2)
The student will produce a dissertation of no more than 15,000 words. The dissertation will assess students’ ability to meet the learning outcomes. The dissertation will also assess students’ ability to produce a substantial piece of work independently and by a deadline, and which conforms to the conventions of academic presentation. (85%) (ILOs 1-7).
When assessment does not go to plan:
A reassessment will be a revised version of the original dissertation submission.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ECONM0020).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
