Introductory description

The Dissertation modules enable participants to develop knowledge and understanding of a specialist area within the broad fields of career development, career coaching, coaching and work-related learning. The modules are taught principally via individual supervision and an online dissertation guide. You may also need some access to the materials from module CE956, 'Research in Professional Practice' (formerly the Research Project module).

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.

Articulation of participants’ prior experience of research and learning from module CE956, research in professional practice.
Refining a dissertation proposal and project plan based around further literature review, consideration of epistemological and methodological issues and research questions agreed with supervisor.
Completion of ethical approval processes according to current CLL Research Ethics Approval Policy.
Gathering and analysing data in line with approved proposal.
Consideration of scholarly and practice based implications and dissemination.
Use of the above to complete a dissertation.
Use of the above to develop a research proposal and complete a dissertation.

Learning outcomes

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

• Define a focus for a small scale research project related to a relevant area of career development or coaching through the identification of research questions
• Critically evaluate potential research methods suitable for such a project
• Creatively design a small scale study to answer the specified questions
• Review literature relevant to the focus of the study
• Autonomously conduct a small scale study within currently defined parameters and ethical approval processes
• Communicate effectively in production of a dissertation, using the current course guides to presentation and referencing

Indicative reading list

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

The dissertation requires students to plan, carry out and write up a small scale research project relating to a chosen aspect of the broad fields of career development, career coaching, coaching and work-related learning.

Interdisciplinary

In keeping with the overall course design, the dissertation will draw on and integrate perspectives on career development and coaching from a range of disciplines such as vocational and coaching psychology, sociology and organisation studies.

Subject specific skills

By the end of the module, students should have developed professional skills in the design and delivery of a dissertation project

Transferable skills

By the end of the module, students should be able to communicate verbally in the effective delivery of a dissertation project; and in clear written form using the current course guides to presentation and referencing.