Module POLM013M for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM013M: MPA Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 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
| 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. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 100 | 15,000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation (15,000 words) | Dissertation (15,000 words) | 1-9 | Next reassessment period |
