ET9D5-60 Dissertation
Introductory description
N/A
Module aims
The dissertation will give students the opportunity to put theory into practice and design a small-scale study that is meaningful and relevant in their professional contexts. More specifically, it will encourage students to reflect critically on issues and debates within TESOL and identify a topic for further research. It will provide students with an opportunity to explore this topic in depth, to develop a critical literature review, a suitable methodology and an appropriate approach to data analysis. All students will undertake a small-scale research project, largely independently.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Students work with individual supervisors to develop their small-scale research projects. The
starting point is the research proposal (submitted for the pre-requisite module: Research
methods in TESOL).
Students can undertake small scale research projects relevant to the needs and interests in their
context in any area of TESOL and they will be assisted in designing and undertaking a feasible,
ethical and methodologically sound project.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of a selected topic within TESOL.
- Identify knowledge gaps and develop research questions within an area of TESOL.
- Search the literature effectively and develop own literature review.
- Devise and carry out an appropriate, small scale research project within TESOL.
- Communicate ideas effectively both in writing and in oral presentations.
- Explain and justify the professional relevance of the research undertaken.
- Draw links between theory and professional practice.
- Develop principled approaches to research that are ethical, rigorous and relevant within TESOL.
Indicative reading list
Bell, M (2005) Doing your Research Project: A guide for first-time Researchers in Education, Health
and Social Science Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Creswell, J W (2008) Research Design, Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches
London: Sage.
Dörnyei Z (2007) Research Methods in Applied Linguistics Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Paltridge, B and A Phakiti (2015) Research Methods in Applied Linguistics London: Bloomsbury
Research element
This module is entirely research focussed. Students engage in small-scale research relevant to their own professional contexts in line with their specific interests within the broad area of TESOL.
Subject specific skills
- Explain and justify the professional relevance of the research undertaken.
- Draw links between theory and professional practice.
- Develop principled approaches to research that are ethical, rigorous and relevant within TESOL.
Transferable skills
- Identify knowledge gaps and develop research questions within an area of TESOL;
- Search the literature effectively and develop own literature review;
- Devise and carry out an appropriate, small scale research project within TESOL;
- Communicate ideas effectively both in writing and in oral presentations;
- Work independently;
- Plan and manage time and workload to meet interim and final deadlines.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 5 sessions of 1 hour (1%) |
| Private study | 595 hours (99%) |
| Total | 600 hours |
Private study description
- Search for relevant literature and engage in reading and self-study.
- Plan their empirical research, apply for ethical clearance, contact relevant research participants and plan and
undertake a small scale study independently. - Draft and re-draft chapters about the literature review, methodology, data analysis an discussion of the findings.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100% | No |
Feedback on assessment
Students will get formative feedback on drafts of the main chapters and a summative report will be uploaded and published on Tabula.
Courses
This module is Core for:
-
TETS-X9PR Postgraduate Taught TESOL
- Year 1 of X9PR TESOL
- Year 1 of X9PR TESOL
- Year 1 of TETS-X9PS Postgraduate Taught TESOL (Part-time - 2 years)
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of TIMA-L981 Postgraduate Social Science Research