HSC8099 : Dissertation (FT)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Mark Pearce
- Lecturer: Dr Jingky Lozano-Kuehne, Dr Steph Scott
- Owning School: Population Health Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 5 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 5 |
| Semester 3 Credit Value: | 50 |
| ECTS Credits: | 30.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To give students the opportunity to apply the understanding and methods from the taught course to the investigation of a relevant problem, in the form of a substantial piece of research written up into a dissertation. In doing this, students will further develop skills in problem analysis, literature review, data handling, data analysis, interpretation and in project management. To explain the principles of research project management and to outline both practical and regulatory issues related to the conduct of research within the NHS.
Outline Of Syllabus
The purpose of this module is for students to see a research project in health sciences and social care settings through from conception to completion in the form of writing the project up into a dissertation in accordance with academic conventions and standards. In the end, students will have gained first hand knowledge of how research projects are designed, implemented, adjusted and managed including negotiating ethics and research governance. The content of the module will depend on the specifics of the project that the individual student chooses.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 100 | 1:00 | 100:00 | |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Present in person: Student presentations 30 mins per student and to provide peer feedback |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Present in person: Presentation skills practice |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Present in person: Module talk followed by small group teaching |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 476:30 | 476:30 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Dissertation/project related supervision | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Present in person as agreed with supervisors |
| Total | 600:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students will undertake a substantial empirical project during their MSc academic year. This project will provide individual students with hands on experience of at least one research method using one or more techniques thus deepening students’ experience of research. Together with the development of a range of professional and key skills, the students will be trained and empowered to engage in teaching and/or research in higher education or in a professional capacity in the health service or other fields of employment. Students are normally allocated 2 supervisors. Students will discuss their projects with their assigned supervisors and will gain additional insights about current research, research methods, problems and their solutions by temporary membership of their supervisor’s research group. While conducting their project students will be required to maintain a research diary as a record of their work. The summation of learning will be expressed in the form of a dissertation reflecting the practicalities of conducting the project as well as the conclusions that may be drawn from it.
Given the wide variety of project types, and professional situations that students find themselves
in, there is no fixed timeline within the module - students determine their own planning and
time management with advice.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | 3 | M | 80 | 12,000 words |
| Oral Presentation | 3 | M | 20 | Present in person 15 minute presentation followed by 5 minute discussion, based on the contents of the dissertation |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | Present in person 15 minute presentation on project protocol, followed by 5 minute discussion |
| Written exercise | 2 | M | Project protocol (6 pages including references) based upon the presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The methods of assessment have been chosen purposefully to extend the students important transferable (written and oral communication) skills which they will require if pursuing research to advanced level in higher education (e.g. PhD) or in a professional capacity in other fields of employment (e.g. Public Health, Research Management). Planning and organising skills are assessed by the project management appendix.
The project protocol will not count towards the dissertation mark but must be passed in order for the student to progress to the project.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- HSC8099's Timetable