Postgraduate Course: Dissertation MSc by Research (Sustainable African Futures) (PGSP11611)
Course Outline
| School | School of Social and Political Science |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 120 |
ECTS Credits | 60 |
| Summary | The dissertation is an extended piece of writing of up to 18,000 words, based on an independent study of a topic largely of the student's own choosing. This assignment will take the form of a comprehensive research proposal. It tests the ability to construct a research question, review relevant literature, and devise appropriate methodologies. |
| Course description |
Academic Description:
The dissertation is an extended piece of writing of up to 18,000 words, based on an independent study of a topic largely of the student's own choosing. This assignment will take the form of a comprehensive research proposal. It tests the ability to construct a research question, review relevant literature, and devise appropriate methodologies.
Outline Content:
This is a supervised course in which students work autonomously with a great deal of freedom to choose their own content. Building off of the research proposal log frame created during the Research Design course, the dissertation will take the form of a full research proposal. It will offer a comprehensive discussion of the research questions, provide an extended review of the literature, and discuss any potential research design and any methodological issues. Students will have the opportunity to attend a Summer School at the University of Witwatersrand and take part in online workshops dedicated to dissertation writing skills.
Student Learning Experience:
The course consists of independent study and desk-based research, under the guidance of a supervisor. The timetable is for students to negotiate with their supervisor. Students will have up to four meetings with their supervisor.In the initial period the aim is to narrow down a broader research topic and to discuss the student's emerging ideas. Advice will be given on what to read, followed by guidance on draft chapters of the 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
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Design and plan a viable independent research project involving project and time management
- Frame and design a coherent and answerable 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 an advanced command of existing knowledge in their field or research, through a critical review of relevant literature engaging with salient debates
- Demonstrate a critical 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
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Reading List
Booth, A., Papaioannou, D. and Sutton, A. (2012) Systematic approaches to a successful literature review, London: Sage.
Gough, D., Oliver, S. and Thomas, J. (2012) An introduction to systematic reviews, London: Sage.
Kivunja, C. (2016). How to Write an Effective Research Proposal for Higher Degree Research in Higher Education: Lessons from Practice. International Journal of Higher Education, 5(2), 163-172.
Ridley, D. (2012) The literature review. A step-by-step guide for students (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
Thompson, P. (2012). Thesis and dissertation writing. The handbook of English for specific purposes, 283-299. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Independent research: conduct research and enquiry into relevant issues through research design, synthesising and reporting.
Analytical thinking: Analysis, synthesis and critical appraisal of literature.
Critical thinking: Capability to evaluate information thoroughly; identify assumptions, detect contradictory reasoning and define terms accurately in order to make an informed judgement.
Numeracy: Proficiency, confidence and competence with numbers and measures.
Handling complexity and ambiguity: have an understanding of contextually relevant ethics and values, follow ethical guidelines, and demonstrate reflexivity and positionality in relation to their own research topic. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ian Russell
Tel:
Email: irussell@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Maria Brichs
Tel: (0131 6)51 3205
Email: mbrichs@ed.ac.uk |
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