Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to support students in undertaking an independent research project, enabling the development of relevent general and subject-specific research methods and skills.

Students will be encouraged to research a topic of their choice, subject to approval of their supervisor, that has a focus on Gender at its core and is rooted in the traditions of the adjoining programme they are enrolled in.

The module also prepares students to present work-in-progress in a conference poster format at an annual MA conference, providing students with the opportunity to get feedback beyond the supervision context from Sociology staff and peers.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module involves individual meetings between student and supervisor (minimum of 8) plus independent research by the student according to topic, ending in production of a research dissertation of up to 15,000 words.
It also involves attendance at a MA conference preparation workshop and the conference itself.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Upon completion of the dissertation module, students should be able to:

(1) identify an area of interest and develop a research question
(2) select an appropriate research methodology and undertake primary research
(3) manage and interpret empirical and/or literature data according to relevant theoretical framework(s)
(3) integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application
(4) present work in progress to a wider audience (at the MA conference)
(5) present the research findings in an extended piece of scholarly writing

Completion of a dissertation should demonstrate increased knowledge in an area of research to MA standard.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Upon completion of the dissertation module, students should be able to:

(1) design and plan an independent research project
(2) select appropriate research methods and conceptual frameworks
(3) carry out independent research and analyse findings
(4) communicate findings clearly and accurately in written scholarly form
(5) demonstrate independence in research and learning, including time and project management.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Through regular contact with the dissertation supervisor, students are enabled to acquire and practice all the designated skills, and to increase their knowledge of the subject area to at least MA level.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The dissertation allows students to demonstrate their research skills both in the collection of the material (literature review and data) and in the production of an extended piece of academic writing. The dissertation provides an extensive test of students’ understanding of the theoretical aspects of their prorgramme, and their ability to devise, plan and implement a research proposal thus demonstrating relevant information gathering skills, to place acquired empirical and other data into a theoretical framework, to construct and represent complex arguments, and to critically analyse their own and others' research. It also tests students’ practical writing and presentational skills.

General Notes

N/A