Module POLM876 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM876: Dissertation Skills
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
The aims of this module are to equip you with the professional skills needed to conduct an extended piece of research and writing. You will have the time and guidance to engage deeply with core debates across the sub-disciplines of politics, equipping you well with practical skills and contributing to your intellectual development. On successful completion of this module you should be a confident and independent researcher.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
---|---|
Module-Specific Skills | 1. design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate social science research methods. 2. collate and analyse subject-specific information from a range of appropriate sources |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. develop the skills requisite to conducting an extended piece of academic writing, including: devising a research question, proposal and literature review; organizing and summarizing key literatures, debates, ideas and controversies. 4. locate your own research in key disciplinary debates, controversies and developments. |
Personal and Key Skills | 5. use IT for information retrieval and presentation. |
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 2nd 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.