Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM100: Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

To enable students to pursue an individual programme of research, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials, to a topic approved by the programme director and under the guidance of an academic supervisor

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 Skills1. 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 Skills4. 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 Skills7. Undertake an individual research project
8. Use IT for information retrieval and presentation
9. Manage own work.

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.

G King, R Keohane and S Verba, Designing Social Inquiry (Princeton UP, 1994);

D Burton (ed), Research Training for Social Scientists: A Handbook for Postgraduate Researchers (Sage, 2000).

Subject-specific reading will vary according to research topic.