| Unit name | Dissertation (with Quantitative Research Methods) (Politics) |
|---|---|
| Unit code | POLI30011 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. King |
| 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 Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The aim of the unit is to help you produce a 10,000-word dissertation. A dissertation is an extended piece of written work that provides an opportunity to identify and investigate a particular question and explore it systematically. In order to do so you are expected to demonstrate research skills and an appreciation of the intellectual challenge of formulating a valid research design. The unit includes a robust and structured supervisory support system that will guide you during the academic year. The teaching methods are designed to introduce you to a range of research issues including finding an interesting topic, problem definition (stating your puzzle), research design (induction and deduction), reviewing the extant literature, handling theory and evidence (qualitative and quantitative), and drafting, presenting and completing a strong dissertation. The unit also includes a one-day dissertation conference that offers you the opportunity to present your work to your colleagues and your supervisor. The dissertation conference is also an opportunity to learn about other students' work, share best practice and discuss individual experiences of dissertation research. It also provides you with an important opportunity to practice and develop transferable skills in a formal academic conference environment.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The dissertation is an integral part of the single honours UG programme and is mandatory for all single honours students, as well as optional for joint honours students.
An overview of content:
The content of the dissertation unit is dedicated to guiding the development of your research in the context of your choosing. Content will be delivered via three methods. The first is the dissertation lectures, which introduce you to the dissertation process, and provide guidance on designing and writing up your project. Secondly data workshops provide in-depth guidance on specific research methods relevant to your research. The final approach is individualised, as you work one-on-one with your assigned supervisor for personalised, detail guidance on your research.
On successful completion of the unit, you will have produced an extended piece of work which demonstrates a detailed understanding of your chosen topic, capacity to apply or interrogate political concepts, an ability to present research professionally and cogently.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit:
As a result of completing the dissertation you will have made a contribution to the academic literature on the topic, and so advanced the sum total of human knowledge in your chosen area. This is an achievement to be proud of, and the dissertation can therefore be a source of confidence in your own abilities. The independent learning that categorises dissertation research is also the chance for you to develop a variety of skills (including time management, project management, data gathering, data analysis, written and oral communication), and also resilience as you manage the project.
Learning Outcomes:
1.To develop knowledge of general issues in research design and research methods in political science.
2. Acquire deeper knowledge of topics in research design relevant to your dissertation.
3. Design a research project
4. Use research methods relevant to your dissertation
5. Develop an ability to plan and organize an extended piece of work based on individual initiative in light of recent experiences of dissertation synopsis submission
6. Develop an ability to manage a research project over an extended period of time
7. Develop an ability to write a long piece of work on a political topic
8. Develop an in-depth understanding of a political topic
9. Demonstrated the ability to structure and present work confidently and articulately to a set time limit.
The students research will be supported by dissertation lectures in TB1 and TB2, and data collection and analysis workshops. The lectures will be delivered by the dissertation coordinator and cover the main stages of the dissertation, and the topics for the workshops will be decided on the basis of student preference and staff capacity. The majority of student learning will be through independent research on their topic of choice, and via their methodology of choice, with the support of an assigned supervisor.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare for summative tasks (formative):
You will have the choice of participating in a dissertation conference, in order to receive peer feedback on your work and to develop your presentation skills and will submit a formative assessed draft chapter directly to your supervisor.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
You will be assessed by:
When assessment does not go to plan:
Subject to the university regulations for taught programmes, you may be offered an opportunity for reassessment in the failed element(s). This will comprise a task of the same format as the original assessment.
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. POLI30011).
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.
