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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014 -
- ARCHIVE as at 1 September 2013 for reference only
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Postgrad (School of Social and Political Studies)

Postgraduate Course: Dissertation MSc by Research (South Asian Studies) (PGSP11123)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Course typeDissertation AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits80
Home subject areaPostgrad (School of Social and Political Studies) Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThe dissertation is an extended piece of independent scholarship. It is the main work in which students demonstrate achievement of crucial learning outcomes for the MSc by Research, drawing upon relevant material covered in the taught element of the degree and through supervision. The dissertation can be up to 19,000 words in length (exclusive of notes, references and appendices).

The nature of a dissertation for the MSc by Research may vary. For students proceeding to a PhD or MPhil, the dissertation will normally take the form of 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. The dissertation should normally include an opening section discussing the existing literature in the field and should incorporate research questions, research design and methodology (as appropriate), data/primary source material collection and analysis elements, and conclusions. The dissertation will be expected will be expected to demonstrate a clear focus on a specific topic, a clear and effective prose style, and to follow consistent and appropriate scholarly conventions in matters of referencing.

In this 80 credit dissertation, at least one of the elements required for 60 credits will normally be more developed: eg. a more extensive bibliography and discussion of primary sources or data relevant to the research topic, a more advanced critical engagement with relevant concepts or theory, or (where appropriate) a more detailed treatment of ethical and methodological issues.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Flexible, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  No Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 05/08/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 800 ( Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 6, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 16, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 778 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Students should:
- demonstrate the ability to carry out a sustained piece of independent scholarly research, involving project and time management
- demonstrate the ability to frame a coherent set of research questions, to justify these in relation to existing knowledge and theories, and to demonstrate that answering them would constitute an advance on existing knowledge
- achieve a command of existing knowledge in their field of research, through a critical review of relevant literature, engaging with central debates and demonstrating an awareness of interdisciplinary perspectives
- demonstrate the ability to produce a research design that is capable of answering the chosen research questions
- demonstrate an understanding of research methods, appropriate to the research topic and questions, taking due account of any practical, political and ethical issues affecting the conduct of the research
- where relevant, demonstrate the ability to implement the chosen research design and methods of data collection and analysis
- where relevant, to provide credible conclusions which either stand on their own or address the implications of a pilot study for a fuller project of research
- where relevant, demonstrate the ability to integrate theoretical and empirical elements
- produce written scholarship in line with research and bibliographic conventions
Assessment Information
Dissertation
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserProf Crispin Bates
Tel: (0131 6)50 3765
Email: Crispin.Bates@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Jessica Barton
Tel: (0131 6)51 1659
Email: Jessica.Barton@ed.ac.uk
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