Course unit details:
Dissertation
| Unit code | SOCY60000 |
|---|---|
| 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 Postgraduate Dissertation (60 credits) provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent social research project. The topic of research is chosen by the student in consultation with their supervisor and can involve the use of existing quantitate or qualitative datasets, existing literature, or the collection of dataset tailored to the research questions. The dissertation will develop expertise in an area of sociology that is of personal interest, while applying and developing the research skills gained in the degree. It also offers a valuable opportunity to demonstrate and refine transferable skills of critical analysis, writing, and project management.
Aims
The aims of the 60-credit dissertation are to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to undertake a piece of independent research; to allow students to choose a topic of study of particular interest and to engage in an in-depth examination of the topic making use of advanced bibliographic skills, existing quantitative or qualitative datasets, and/or of collection of data required to address the project’s research questions; to encourage students to explore the contribution the discipline makes to an understanding of social life and social order; to enable students to develop their sociological skills under the guidance of the dissertation supervisor, in particular, their skills in the selection of a researchable topic, the development of a research proposal, the conduct of research, the analysis of results, and the process of structuring, writing and formatting a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation; to allow students to gain expertise in the area of sociology that forms the topic of their dissertation.
Teaching and learning methods
The dissertation is fully based on independent study, under the guidance of a supervisor. Supervisors are allocated in the second semester and meet regularly with the students up to completion.
Assessment methods
Dissertation of between 12,000-15,000 words (100%)
Feedback methods
Students will receive both formative feedback from their supervisors - which lets you know how you're getting on and what you could do to improve - and a final summative feedback - which gives you a mark for your assessed work.
Recommended reading
Alan Bryman (2001), Social Research Methods, Oxford.
Mason, J. (1996), Qualitative Researching, Sage.
Balmer, A. and Murcott, A. (2017) The Craft of Writing Sociology
http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781784992705/