Undergraduate Module Descriptor

SSI3019: Quantitative Dissertation

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

An introductory seminar will outline the process of writing the dissertation, expectations regarding standards of research, and formal requirements. It will also provide guidance as to how to find a viable topic, select a research question, and introduce you to primary and secondary data collection. You will then be assigned to thematic study groups convened by the module leader and guided by another member of staff acting as expert advisor. You will produce an initial plan and literature list in the first month of the semester and a full first draft by the first month of the second semester. Both items will be posted on ELE and you are expected to contribute to your study group's ELE blog. In the two study group meetings, you will present on your work in progress and receive feedback from the expert advisor. You will be assigned another student on whose work in progress you are expected to comment.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
112890

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity2 sessions * 2 hours = 4 hours1. Introductory seminar will outline the process of writing the dissertation, expectations for the dissertation, and guidance on selecting a research question. 2. Introductor seminar on data collection strategies.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity2 hoursSupervision meetings with module leader and expert advisor.
Scheduled learning and teaching activity5 hoursStudy Groups. Students will then be assigned to thematic study groups convened by the module leader and guided by another member of staff acting as expert advisor. In the two study group meetings, students will present on their work in progress and receive feedback from the expert advisor. Each student will be assigned another student on whose work in progress they are expected to comment.
Guided independent study40 hoursDevelopment of initial plan and literature list
Guided independent study120 hoursDissertation research and production of first draft of dissertation.
Guided independent study9 hoursPreparing presentations of research-in-progress for study group meetings.
Guided independent study120 hoursCompletion of final dissertation

Online Resources

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