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 your foundation research training, and your other modules, you will conduct an independent dissertation 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. You will engage with a combination of small-group supervision sessions (5 x 1 hour) and a number of individual 1-2-1 tutorials with your supervisor. 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 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.

Students will work with their tutors and supervisors to determine a topic/focus for their dissertation study. Following this, students will independently plan and carry out their research in order to complete a 15,000 word dissertation. To inform their study, students will select, read and synthesise appropriate theoretical, empirical and methodological literature. Their work will build upon their MA modules to date, particularly the required Foundation Research Methods module.

Learning outcomes

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

• Communicates detailed knowledge and critical awareness of a specific topic within the field of education
• Demonstrates high quality written communication skills
• Demonstrates effective use of information technology (for example analysis of qualitative data, quantitative data, use of e-resources in the library, e.g. literature searches) 
• Can evidence critical analysis of existing theory and research within fields relevant to the dissertation topic
• Demonstrates ability to understand and to articulate relevant and / or new concepts 
• Demonstrates ability to systematically plan and structure a sustained report of research or a piece of sustained academic scholarship related to education 
• Displays self-direction and originality in tackling problem solving within a research process

Indicative reading list

Bell, J., (2014). Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researchers. McGraw-Hill Education (UK). (ebook)
Cohen, L. Lawrence, M. & Morrison, K.  (2018)  Research Methods in Education: 7th Edition. London and New York: Routledge. (ebook)
Denscombe, M., (2017). The good research guide: for small-scale social research projects. McGraw-Hill Education (ebook)
Elliott, V and J. Ingram (2019) Research Methods for Classroom Discourse. Bloomsbury (ebook)
Gorard, S. and Taylor, C., (2004). Combining methods in educational and social research. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
Robson, C. and McCartan, K., (2016). Real world Research. John Wiley & Sons.
Thomas, G., (2017). How to do your research project: A guide for students. Sage.

A full Talis reading list will be provided to students on commencement of their dissertation studies.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

With guidance from supervisors, students undertake a small-scale independent empirical research study or a desk-based study related an area of education that they have chosen. This assessed outcome of this is the 15,000 word dissertation document.

Interdisciplinary

There is the potential for students to engage with their research project in an interdisciplinary way. It is possible, for example that students might draw upon sociological, psychological or economic thinking, theory and research in order to inform their own study.

International

There is scope for students to have an international focus for their dissertation, depending on their chosen topic. This could involve some international travel for fieldwork (but is not a requirement).

Subject specific skills

• Build skills to examine, evaluate and deploy the findings of empirical and theoretical studies related to educational research • Reflect upon the ethics of studying aspects of education • Generate and explore suitable research questions • Carry out empirical or desk-based studies ethically • Use research strategies and techniques appropriate to their chosen field of inquiry and research questions • Analyse data effectively • Can present and critically evaluate research findings in an appropriate form

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 • Cognitive flexibility •Problem-solving