Postgraduate Module Descriptor

ERPM004: Dissertation

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

The dissertation will involve:

work which draws on the 4 taught modules (specifically the main research paradigms, methodologies and methods used in educational research and various forms of communicating research);
making a choice about a possible area for research;
drawing up an individual study plan with the supervisor;
student-centred sessions to plan and discuss work in progress;
negotiation with the supervisor to refine research topic and to make it relevant and feasible;
student written accounts, normally to include: research topic or question, dissertation plan, relevant literature review, research methodology, implemented research activity, description and analysis of results, reflective discussion and conclusion of study;

- submission of these written accounts in stages with formative assessment by the supervisor; and

- guidance for the writing of a dissertation

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
37	563	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	7	7 hours of meetings with your supervisor to plan and discuss work. You will devise a dissertation topic. You will then be assigned an appropriate specialist member of staff as your supervisor. Your supervisor will set targets and provide you with feedback on a draft of your dissertation
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities	30	10 hours of advanced research skills support in each of the three terms. These sessions will run alongside the dissertation and the taught modules to help you develop the necessary skills for research.
Guided Independent Study	100	Produce literature review and research methodology
Guided Independent Study	163	Research and develop proposal/ carry out project and initial analysis
Guided Independent Study	300	Write final dissertation

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

Web based and electronic resources:

ELE: