Course unit details:
Dissertation
| Unit code | LELA70000 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 60 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Full year |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The dissertation unit consists of an independent research project, designed and executed by the student, which leads to a 10,000 to 12,000 word dissertation. The project includes original research that contributes to the field of Linguistics or English Linguistics. The student is expected to identify and develop a dissertation topic appropriate to the time scale for an MA dissertation which is focused into a specific research question providing scope to contribute empirical evidence and to explore evaluative and critical issues. A dissertation supervisor provides guidance on research methods, research ethics, analysis of data, and academic writing. Student and supervisor will arrange three to five planning and supervision meetings. This unit involves significant independent research.
Knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to:
- Successfully design and conduct an independent, original research project in the fields of Linguistics and/or English Linguistics
- Critically evaluate linguistic theories in relation to the evidence provided, e.g. in terms of potential falsification and criteria for theory choice.
- Effectively communicate research findings in a written dissertation
Intellectual skills
Students will be able to:
- Describe and analyse substantial data sets using appropriate theoretical framework
- Evaluate and synthesize a substantial body of primary research literature
Practical skills
Students will be able to:
- Design and manage an independent research project
- Identify and access relevant primary sources and critical literature
- Collect and analyse substantial data sets using an appropriate methodology complying with ethical standards
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Students will be able to:
- Develop an extended written argument of depth and complexity
- Develop advanced project planning and time-management skills
Employability skills
- Other
- This course is especially relevant to students who plan to pursue a career that involves research skills. It prepares students for postgraduate research programmes, but the skills acquired will also be relevant for careers that involve non-academic types of research, for example, journalism, civil service, or law. The experience of managing a project independently will be an asset for many careers across different sectors. The course unit also enhances the students¿ formal writing skills and their ability to give oral presentations in a formal or professional environment.
Assessment methods
| Assessment Task | Formative or Summative | Weighting |
| Research Proposal and plan | Formative | |
| Draft Piece | Formative | |
| Dissertation | Summative | 100% |
Feedback methods
| Feedback method | Formative or Summative |
| Written and/or oral feedback on the formative pieces of assessment as agreed with your supervisor, e.g. via Turnitin, in a face-to-face meeting, etc. Please note that different arrangements may be made by different supervisors. | formative |
| Individual written feedback will be provided in Turnitin on the dissertation. | summative |
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Project supervision | 6 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 594 |
Additional notes
In order to be allowed to start this unit, students must
- pass the taught part of the programme (full information on pass marks can be found in the SALC PGT handbook) and
- have their Research Proposal accepted by the proposed supervisor. Students are advised to contact the proposed supervisor whilst developing the proposal in order to get informal feedback on the topic, research questions and methods. If the Research Proposal is not accepted, students will receive feedback and will have the chance to resubmit at the latest by the deadline for the submission of semester 2 coursework. In agreement with the proposed supervisor, the student can resubmit more than once before the final deadline. If the proposal submitted by that deadline is not accepted, students will not be allowed to do a Dissertation and will graduate with a PG Diploma, if their average mark allows this.