Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM876: Dissertation Skills

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

1. Elements of a research proposal

2. Devising a research question

3. Planning and writing a literature review

4. Deciding on your approach/methodology

5. Workshopping your ideas

6. Refining the proposal

7. The writing process

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
14	136	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	14	7 x 2 hour lectures
Guided independent study	40	reading in preparation for the lectures
Guided independent study	16	web-based research
Guided independent study	80	writing of research proposal and literature review

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

http://www.ex.ac.uk/gradschool/skill_sessions_descript.htm

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

Burton, D.(ed)(2000)Research Training for Social Scientists SAGE. Dunleavy, P.(2003)Authoring a PhD. Palgrave MacMillan.

Harrison, L.(2001)Political Research: An Introduction. Routledge.

Hay, C.(2002)Political Analysis: An Introduction Palgrave MacMillan.

King, G, Keohane, R.O.and Verba,S. (1994) Designing Social Inquiry Princeton University Press.

Burnham, P.,Gilland,K.,Grant, W.and Layton-Henry,Z.(2004) Research Methods in Politics Palgrave MacMillan. Marsh, D.and Stoker, G.(eds)(2002)Theory and Methods in Political Science 2^nd edition Palgrave MacMillan.

Silbergh, D.M.(2001) Doing Dissertations in Politics Routledge.

Silverman, D.(ed)(2004)Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice SAGE.

Turabian, K.(1996) A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations Chicago,IL: University of Chicago Press.

Wisker, G.(2001)The Postgraduate Research Handbook Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.