Introductory description

The dissertation is an opportunity to explore, in depth, an area of academic and/or professional interest related to your degree. Building on the knowledge and skills developed during the Foundation Research Methods module, and your other modules, you will conduct an independent research project, developing a deeper understanding of your chosen topic. From your research project you will produce a dissertation, with guidance from a supervisor who will be allocated to you. Through the dissertation you will demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise relevant literature, produce coherent arguments supported by relevant evidence and logical discussion, and acknowledge sources of ideas and information.

Module web page

Module aims

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.

Following consultation and needs analysis and discussion with tutors, students select either a
topic within an area of scholarship or a topic for empirical research within the field of education.
Students write a 15,000 word dissertation in consultation with their supervisor. In order to
undertake the study, students select and read appropriate theoretical and methodological
literature in consultation with their supervisor. The study for the dissertation builds on the
Foundation Research Methods module, which is a pre-requisite.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding of a specific topic within the field of education
• Written communication skills
• Demonstrate use of information technology via analysis of qualitative data, quantitative data, or use of e-resources in the library, e.g. literature searches
• Use of relevant research skills
• Demonstrate ability in critical analysis
• Demonstrate ability to understand and articulate new concepts
• Demonstrate ability to plan and structure a sustained report of research or a piece of sustained academic scholarship related to education

Indicative reading list

Bieger G R and Gerlach G J (1996) Educational Research: A Practical Approach (Wadsworth
Publishing).
Grey, D. (2004) Doing Research in the Real World. (Sage)
Muijs, D. (2004) Doing Quantitative Research. (Sage/Paul Chapman)
Opie, C. (2004) Doing Educational Research. (Sage/Paul Chapman).
Prior, L. (2003) Using Documents in Social Research. (Sage)
Robson, C. (1993) Real World Research: A Resource for Social Scientists and Practitioner
Researchers, (Oxford, Blackwell).

Journals (all available in Warwick library, most electronically)
British Educational Research Journal
International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education
Oxford Review of Education

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

Students complete an independent research study related to a chosen aspect of education, with supervision.

Subject specific skills

• examine, evaluate and deploy the findings of empirical and theoretical studies related to education• reflect upon the ethics of studying aspects of education • generate and explore suitable research questions • carry out empirical or desk-based studies ethically • use appropriate methods of data collection to answer research questions • analyse data • present and evaluate research findings

Transferable skills

• Analysis and decision making • Communication skills • Critical thinking • Data handling • Emotional intelligence • Intellectual ability • Judgement and decision making • Negotiation • Planning and organisational skills • Problem solving • Reasoning • Using IT effectively