Module POL3076 for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3076: Research Design for Dissertation
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
A range of generic topics will be covered through a mix of interactive lectures and student-led workshops, including:
1. Introduction to the MA dissertation
2. Research design for the MA dissertation
3. Defining the research question
4. Gathering evidence search skills, resources and methods
5. Assembling a bibliography
6. Building an argument case study selection and theoretical lenses
7. Writing a research plan
8. Drafting, completing and submitting the dissertation
You will learn through a combination of four components: Interactive lectures; Peer-led topic workshops (students will work in groups of 15); Independent study and Supervisor input.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 280 | 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 | 16 | 8 x 2 hour seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 2 | 4 x 30 minutes supervision meetings |
| Guided Independent study | 200 | Researching and writing literature review |
| Guided Independent study | 82 | Developing, writing and revising |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
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.
Basic reading:
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.
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
