Introductory description

Dissertations are the result of independent research on a sociological topic of your choice, with some guidance from your supervisor. Instead of writing an essay on a pre-determined topic or doing an exam, you get the opportunity to: choose the topic, work out how to study it, collect and assess relevant information, analyse and criticise the information and write an account of how it was all done in 10,000 words.

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.

Autumn term workshops
Week 2:Tackling your Literature Review
Week 4: Qualitative Research Design/ Quantitative Research Design
Week 8: Research Ethics
Week 10: Thinking about an MA/MSc

Spring term workshops
Week 2: Maximizing Your Employability
Week 4: Qualitative Data Analysis / Quantitative Data Analysis
Week 8: CV writing
Week 10: Completing and Submitting

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate intellectual independence and originality by choosing their own subject of study and defining its nature and scope
• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant existing research literature in a relevant area and evaluate this literature critically
• Formulate a testable hypothesis or research question and set it in the context of the existing research literature
• Show an understanding and awareness of the ethical context of a relevant research area
• Recognise the theoretical, practical, and methodological implications and limitations of their research
• Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge and understanding that will equip them to proceed to study at a higher level.
• Demonstrate capacity to independently locate, access and analyse data
• Demonstrate an ability to independently conduct secondary research
• Demonstrate an ability to independently write about and report findings within the context of wider substantive debates within the discipline

Indicative reading list

Adamson, A. (1990) A Student's Guide for Assignments, Projects and Research, Oxford,
Thamesman

Becker, H. S. (2010) Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish your Thesis, Book, or
Article, Richmond, BC: ReadHowYouWant, Second edition

Bell, J. (2014) Doing Your Research Project: a Guide for First-Time Researchers in Education and
Social Science, Buckingham: Open University Press, Sixth edition

Berry, R. (2004) The Research Project: How to Write It, London: Routledge, Fifth edition

Blair, L. (2016) Writing a Graduate Thesis or Dissertation, Rotterdam: Sense

Blaxter, L., C. Hughes, et al. (2010) How to Research, Buckingham: Open University Press, Fourth
edition

Burnett, J. (2009) Doing your Social Science Dissertation, London: Sage

Gibaldi, J. (1995) MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, New York: Modern Language
Association of America, Fourth edition.

MHRA (2013) MHRA Style Guide: A Handbook for Authors, Editors and Writers of Theses,
London:Modern Humanities Research Association, Third edition.

Preece, R. A. (1994) Starting Research: An Introduction to Academic Research and Dissertation
Writing, London: Pinter

Smith, K. et al (2009) Doing Your Undergraduate Social Science Dissertation, London & New York:
Routledge

Turabian, K. L., revised by W.C. Booth et al (2013) A Manual for Writers of Research papers, Theses and Dissertations, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, Eight edition University of Chicago Press (2010) Chicago Manual of Style Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 16th edition Watson, G (1987) Writing a Thesis: A guide to Long Essays and Dissertations, London, Longman Walliman, N. (2005) Your Research Project: A Step-by-step Guide for the First-time Researcher, London: Sage, Second edition

Research element

The dissertation is an independent piece of research carried out by the student with support from a supervisor. This independent research can take various forms, e. g, interviews, focus groups, ethnography, content/discourse analysis, archival or library research.

Subject specific skills

Cognitive skills

1. Able to independently appreciate the applications
   of a given theory
2. To engage independently with data and related
   empirical research
3. To be able to independently retrieve, evaluate
   critically and select relevant information to
   support coherent arguments
4. Able to independently demonstrate independence
   of thought and a degree of originality

Professional skills

1. Demonstrate familiarity with ethical and practical
   considerations in the collection of relevant data

2. Independently undertake an extensive programme of
   reading and research

3. Engage in sustained analysis, interpretation and comparison of a substantial body of data in an
   independent manner

4. Independently critically evaluate and comment on
   sociological research and recognises its implications
   and draw justifiable conclusions

5. Independently demonstrate the ability to design,
   plan, and carry out a piece of empirical research
   within a defined period

6. Independently demonstrate a capacity to work with
   data and to situate that research within wider
   disciplinary debates.

Transferable skills

Key skills

1. Present the results of their own independent research in
   a clearly written, academically and cogently argued,
   logically structured and properly referenced form

2. Consolidate communication, information-seeking and
   intellectual skills

3. Have the ability to reflect independently on and evaluate
   their own research project management and performance

4. To conduct research and present the findings in a
   coherent argument.

5. To critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem.

1. To exercise initiative and demonstrate decision-making skills in complex and unpredictable contexts.