Dissertation MSc by Research Science and Technology Studies (100 credit) (P01981)

? Credit Points : 100 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : SPS-P-P01981

All students taking the MSc by Research in Science and Technology Studies will undertake a dissertation on an appropriate topic.

The dissertation is an extended piece of independent scholarship in the field of science and technology studies. In preparing the dissertation, students will demonstrate achievement of crucial learning outcomes for the MSc by Research, drawing on relevant material covered in the taught element of the degree and through supervision. The dissertation can be up to 23,000 words in length.

The nature of a dissertation for the MSc by Research may vary. For students proceeding to a PhD or MPhil, it will normally comprise a full research proposal. In this case, it will contain an extended review of the literature, establishing the research questions, plus an extended discussion of the likely research design and any methodological issues. Alternatively, the dissertation may comprise a discrete piece of (usually empirical) research, possibly a pilot study for the eventual doctoral research. This will usually incorporate literature review, research questions, research design and methodology, data collection and analysis elements, and conclusions.

In this 100 credit dissertation, some of the elements required for a 60 credit dissertation will normally be more developed. It will normally incorporate a fairly comprehensive review of relevant literature. Dissertations taking the form of a research proposal will normally include some pilot research as well as the full proposal. Other elements that may be more developed include: more advanced engagement in relevant concepts or theory, more detailed treatment of ethical and methodological issues, implementation of a more detailed or wide ranging pilot study.

The dissertation must be submitted by a date specified in the University Regulations.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of Social and Political Studies), (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 successfully completing the dissertation will:

- carry out a sustained piece of independent scholarship, involving project and time management
- achieve a command of existing knowledge in their field of research, through critical and (where relevant) comprehensive review of relevant literature engaging with salient debates
- frame a coherent and answerable set of research questions, to justify these in relation to existing knowledge and theory, and to demonstrate that answering them would constitute an advance on existing knowledge
- demonstrate the ability to produce a research design capable of answering the chosen research questions
- demonstrate an understanding of research methods, including methods of data collection and analysis, appropriate to the research topic and questions, taking due account of ethical concerns
- where relevant, demonstrate the ability to implement the chosen research design and methods of data collection and analysis in a pilot study
- where relevant, demonstrate the ability to generate credible conclusions (e.g. on the implications of a pilot study for fuller study)
- produce written scholarship in line with research and bibliographic conventions