Dissertation MSc by Research Social Policy (P01971)

? Credit Points : 60 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : SPS-P-P01971

The Doctoral Seminar Programme consists of: a) work in progress seminars given by research students; b) policy research skills seminars given by visitors, staff and students; and c) social policy seminars.

The dissertation is an extended piece of scholarship in which a student is expected to formulate and sustain a focused piece of independent research in the field of social policy. The dissertation is expected to engage critically and analytically with relevant literature, building upon salient concepts and theory covered in the taught element of the degree and deploying appropriate analytic and bibliographic skills.

The nature of a dissertation for the MSc by Research may vary. It can be: a research proposal, in preparation for a PhD Project; a pilot project in preparation for a PhD project; a stand-alone project, that could involve analysis of documents, secondary data or it could be fieldwork based. Other types of dissertations are possible, as agreed with the Programme Director of the MSc by Research (Social Policy).

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Social Policy, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) per week for 30 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

- carry out a sustained piece of independent literature-based scholarship, involving project and time management
- employ relevant concepts and theories in the articulation of research questions and research design
- identify and use relevant literature critically and analytically
- demonstrate an understanding of research methods and analysis, appropriate to the research topic, taking due account of ethical concerns
- present the dissertation in a written form, in line with research and bibliographic conventions.
- gain skills in communicating one's research
- understand relationships between research and policy formulation
- understand key concepts used in policy-related research
- perceive relationships between contemporary social and economic trends and social policy
- demonstrate skills in negotiating access for policy research

Delivery period: Year long