Introductory description

The Practical Final Project enables students to complete an individual research project by producing a substantial practice-based outcome, or series of outcomes, which will be the focus of an accompanying 5000-word written component. The final project is an exercise in independent study in which students pursue a topic of interest to them within the subject matter of their Masters programme. Whilst the dissertation’s emphasis is not necessarily empirical or theoretical, the work should engage with theories, methodologies, empirical understanding and methods in relation to the research topic as appropriate and should present critical reflections on how the empirical and theoretical frameworks shape and guide the practice-based research process. As well as giving students the opportunity to develop skills in practice-based research, the module allows them to further develop a range of independent research skills, including literature search, researching previous work and bibliography construction, theoretical argument, and generation/appraisal of empirical evidence, and exploring links between theory and practice.
To develop their final project, students can follow two different routes:
Independent route: The issue/problem that the students work with will be developed by the student in dialogue with their supervisors and the relevant academic literature.
Placement route: The issue/problem that the students work with will be developed as a result of a dialogue between an external non-academic partner, the student and their academic supervisors while also being in touch with the relevant academic literature
Irrespective of the route taken, the projects will be problem-driven and practice-based and will enable students to engage with real-world issues and problems and critically apply theories and methods.

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.

The module will start with a lecture laying out the requirements and explaining standards and stages of work in the final project. To give students more time and support, the module leader will give the first lecture prior to the summer term, during term two. For students on the placement route, a list of problem statements provided by external partners will be made available also in term two and students will express their interest in working with the external partners. Students will also be able to source their own placement providers and projects as long as this is approved by the department. Students will also complete a 'Statement of research interest' document before the Summer term, which will be used to allocate supervisors but also to encourage students to begin thinking about the final project in advance of the Summer term. Students will commence work on dissertations at the start of the third term. They will be advised to maintain regular contact with their supervisor, and to meet with them at least three times over the period of study. Students on the “placement route” will work closely with a mentor from the placement provider. The mentor will also make working arrangements that are best suited to the project. The work could take place either remotely with potential visits to the provider’s workplace or the student could be based at the provider’s workplace more routinely. The supervisor will advise on specific aspects of the final project process (topic selection, research design, methodology and techniques, literature review and due diligence, managing large practice-based projects etc.).

The final project will be an original piece of problem-driven, practice-based research in the broad area of cultural, political, social or natural phenomena using one or several concepts, methodologies and techniques presented during the students' course of study.

Learning outcomes

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

• Identify, put into use, and critically interpret different conceptual approaches and developments in the field of research.
• Produce independent research that demonstrates knowledge of a number of theoretical, practical and methodological perspectives studied during the degree.
• Articulate dissertation ideas orally (to supervisors) and to produce well-argued written material, supported by wide reading and advanced research.
• Formulate a sophisticated programme of research with an appropriate methodology.
• Develop a well-grounded, relevant outcome to respond to a real-world problem and/or issue.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

An individual research project producing a substantial practice-based outcome, or series of outcomes.

Interdisciplinary

The module is assessed solely by the production of an independent practice based research project.

Subject specific skills

to develop a sophisticated understanding of one substantive topic of research;

to connect theoretical, conceptual, technical and practical knowledge in relation to a topic and a practice based outcome and to be able to locate specific examples in relation to these knowledges;

to develop practical skills to conduct practice based research by applying one or more suitable research methods.

demonstrate an ability to critically analyse, interpret and evaluate historical and current research in relation to a specific topic;

demonstrate the capacity to compare and contrast concepts from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and to identify a related methodological innovation;

develop the ability to synthesise and adopt interdisciplinary forms of knowledge and relate them to a contemporary research topic;

be able to formulate a sophisticated programme of research with an appropriate methodology.

Transferable skills

written and oral communication skills: to articulate dissertation ideas orally (to supervisors) and to produce well-argued written material, supported by wide reading and advanced research;

the ability to respond to and incorporate feedback and to revise the project as required during the various stages of feedback