Postgraduate Course: Dissertation MSc by Research (South Asian Studies) (PGSP11123)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 80 |
ECTS Credits | 40 |
| Summary | The 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.
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| Course description |
The dissertation is an extended piece of writing of up to 19,000 words, based on independent study of a topic largely of your own choosing. It tests your ability to conduct research autonomously, to organise effectively bigger quantities of information and to communicate your research findings in a fluent and structured fashion. The topic is negotiated with your supervisor from within the broad field of South Asian Studies.
Outline Content
This is a supervised course in which you work autonomously, and so you will have a great deal of freedom to choose your own content.
If you are proceeding from this dissertation 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. This will usually incorporate literature review, research questions, research design and method, data collection and analysis elements, and conclusions.
The course consists of independent study and research, under the guidance of your supervisor. The timetable is for you to negotiate with your supervisor, working from January through to the submission date of mid-August. You would meet your supervisor regularly in that period, and receive advice on what to read, on your emerging ideas, and - in due course - on drafts of your dissertation.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2016/17, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Flexible |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| 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 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% assessed by a 19,000 word dissertation. The assessment criteria are:
1. Formulation and presentation of research problem.
2. Review of literature and contextualisation of study.
3. Discussion of methods used to collect and analyse relevant information, including ethics.
4. Development and coherence of arguments.
5. Use of supporting evidence and evaluation of evidence.
6. Drawing together major arguments by way of conclusion in relation to the original research
problem.
7. Degree of reflexivity, critical thinking and originality of argument.
8. Formal presentation of dissertation: correct referencing and quoting; spelling, grammar and style; layout and visual presentation. |
| Feedback |
The supervisor will:
- help you to define the research problem and focus your argument and topic;
- advise on the methods you will use, and on the coherence of your dissertation;
- give advice on relevant bodies of literature to get your research started or refer you to another member of staff for suggestions on sources;
- discuss and approve draft outlines and timetables of your work;
- provide comment and constructive suggestions on at least one full chapter;
- advise you on the structure of your dissertation. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- 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, and 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, provide either credible conclusions which stand on their own or address the implications of a pilot study for a fuller project of research or demonstrate the ability to integrate theoretical and empirical elements
- Produce written scholarship in line with relevant disciplinary research and bibliographic conventions
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Wilfried Swenden
Tel: (0131 6)50 4255
Email: W.Swenden@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Lindsay Hunter
Tel: (0131 6)51 1587
Email: L.Hunter@ed.ac.uk |
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