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SP50334: Dissertation

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 30 [equivalent to 60 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 600
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Dissertation period
Assessment Summary: DS 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Dissertation (DS 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Aims:
* To give students the opportunity to identify a feasible research question and relate it to relevant literature and empirical material;
* To give students the opportunity to develop a cogent, credible and sustained argument that addresses the research question, and to do this within a fixed time period.

Learning Outcomes: An ability:
(a) to define and answer a research question in a chosen area of interest in the area of international development or humanitarian action;
(b) to support the argument with relevant empirical evidence and/or reference to appropriate theory, and/or linking together arguments from disparate literatures or disciplinary perspectives;
(c) to do all the above in written form in a dissertation that conforms to acceptable standards of presentation and expression.

Skills:
* Comprehensive and scholarly written communication in an extended form (Taught/Facilitated).
* Ability to select, analyse and present numerical data (T/F/Assessed).
* Ability to select, summarise and synthesis written information from multiple sources (T/F/A).
* Ability to develop rigorous and sustained arguments through precise use of concepts (T/F/A).
* Ability to apply theories, concepts and models to empirical problems (T/F/A).
* Ability to synthesise multidisciplinary perspectives on the same problem (T/F/A).
* Ability to formulate a research question, and develop and present an original & coherent answer (T/F/A).
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (T/F/A).
* Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance (T/F/A).

Content: The dissertation should make explicit reference to at least one important development or humanitarian issue covered as part of the Diploma stage of the MSc in International Development/ MSc in International Development with Economics/ MSc in International Development for Social Justice and Sustainability/ MSc in International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action.
Dissertations may be based on any combination of:
(a) review of published literature;
(b) analysis of secondary data.
In addition to these, dissertations may also include the analysis of primary data collected by the student provided that the student has 1) a strong rationale for doing so; and 2) the necessary skills to undertake primary research.

Programme availability:

SP50334 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • THSP-AFM19 : MSc International Development
  • THSP-AFM22 : MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability
  • THSP-AFM20 : MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
  • THSP-AFM21 : MSc International Development with Economics

SP50334 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Computer Science
  • TSCM-AFM52 : MSc Accountable, Responsible and Transparent Artificial Intelligence
Department of Social & Policy Sciences
  • THSP-APM19 : MSc International Development
  • THSP-APM22 : MSc International Development, Social Justice and Sustainability
  • THSP-APM20 : MSc International Development with Conflict and Humanitarian Action
  • THSP-APM21 : MSc International Development with Economics

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.