Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM013M: MPA Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

1. To provide students with an opportunity to conduct independent research-based academic work in the area of Public Administration or in the sub-discipline in which they wish to pursue further research or their career
2. To develop students' ability to apply originality and analytical skills alongside theory and practice to a specific research topic. This may be workplace based.
3. To enhance students awareness of the methodological, ethical and practical concerns of social science research in the field of public administration and specific examples of public sector management

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate knowledge in depth of a specialised subject area; 2. Design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate social science research methods; 3. Collate and analyse subject-specific information from a range of appropriate sources;
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources; 5. Develop cogent argument; 6. Communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing;
Personal and Key Skills	7. Undertake an individual research project; 8. Use IT for information retrieval and presentation; and 9. Manage own work.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

1. Research project skills workshops over two days to prepare students.
2. At least four supervision meetings: one to discuss the research project plan, followed by three meetings to give academic guidance including specific feedback on draft work.

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
10	590	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	8 hours	Research project skills workshops over two days and research workshops in the summer term
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	2 hours (Min 4 x 30 minutes)	Supervision of research project in the form of at least four supervision meetings.
Guided independent study	590 hours	Independent study

Online Resources

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

Indicative web based resources e.g.ELE:
The module will be supported by ELE materials, including study skills materials and guidance. Subject-specific reading will varying according to research topic

Other Learning Resources

Subject-specific reading will varying according to research topic