Module SSIM907 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
SSIM907: Policy Analytics: Dissertation or Research Consultancy Project
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to:
- provide you with an opportunity to conduct independent research-based academic work in the area of policy analytics related to an area in which to pursue further research or their career
- develop your ability to apply originality and data analysis skills alongside theory and practice to a specific research topic. This may be consultancy or workplace based.
- enhance your awareness of the methodological, ethical and practical concerns of social science and data driven research.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
---|---|
Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate in depth knowledge of a specialised subject area; 2. Design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate policy analytic 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. Demonstrate how research fits within policy context and the implications that the research will have for policy practitioners |
Personal and Key Skills | 6. Develop cogent arguments; 7. Communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing; 8. Undertake an individual research project; 9. Manage your own work. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
1. Research project skills workshops – two sessions to prepare students.
2. At least four supervision meetings: one to discuss the research project plan, followed by three meetings to give academic guidance including specific feedback on draft work.
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 |
---|---|---|
6 | 594 | 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 | 4 | 2 x 2 hour research project skills workshops |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 2 | 4 x 30 minute supervision sessions |
Guided Independent Study | 594 | A variety of private study tasks directed by module leader. These tasks may include (with an indicative number of hours): Reading (170 hours) Preparing project proposal (24 hours) Collecting and analyzing data (200 hours) Writing and editing the dissertation (200 hours) |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
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.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Project proposal detailing research or consultancy project | 1500 words | 1-9 | Oral and Written |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
12,000 word research dissertation with figures and tables | 100 | 12,000 words | 1-9 | Written Feedback |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|
12,000 word research dissertation with figures and tables | 12,000 word research dissertation with figures and tables | 1-9 | December following the release of results in early November. |
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:
Locke, Lawrence F., Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, and Stephen J. Silverman. Proposals that work: A guide for planning dissertations and grant proposals. Sage Publications, 2013.
Oliver, Paul. Writing your thesis. Sage, 2013.
Web based and electronic resources:
http://imai.princeton.edu/software/index.html
UK Data Services - https://www.ukdataservice.ac.uk
NCRM - http://www.ncrm.ac.uk