AC7062 - MRes Dissertation

You will engage in an independent research study related to your field of practice. The module offers a variety of strategies to assist your learning and support you to undertake your research study. This includes a range of e-lectures, practical workshops and regular meetings with a named supervisor. These learning opportunities provide you with support and guidance to develop skills and techniques in research processes and research leadership, as well as information relating to ethical issues and processes.

You will be allocated a supervisor early in year 1 of the programme. Scheduled workshops and regular supervision meetings with your allocated supervisor will be provided to support the MRes dissertation process and to help you to explore a range of potential employment pathways, PhD opportunities and further study options. You will also receive information about the dissertation process via email and resources including assessment information will be available via the eLP. Additional study support is available from Ask 4 Help (on-line or face to face staff support), and library and study skills resources can be accessed within the library and via the library homepage.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

NB 7 MLOs as this is a 90 credit module

Knowledge & Understanding:
1: Critically evaluate knowledge, theory and evidence relevant to your field of practice, and understand the ways in which this can be applied to solutions in real world contexts.

2: Analyse and interpret the outcomes of your study, giving due regard to issues of reliability, validity, rigour, trustworthiness and reflexivity.

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:
1: Conceptualise a research study and establish its relevance to your practice area/field of expertise.

2:?Demonstrate ability to utilise methodological principles in the production of empirical study.

3: Critically explore the influence of Experts by Experience (lay people) within the research process.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

1: Contribute to knowledge development and research culture through dissemination and reporting of the research findings.
2: Demonstrate effective project and people leadership skills within the research process.

Formative Assessment

Interim peer-reviewed presentations of students’ work to-date (to take place half way through the academic year).

(MLOs K&U 1,2 IPDA 1,2,3, PVA 1,2)


Summative Assessment

Your assessment will be a 15,000 dissertation that relates to your empirical research study.

Individual feedback will be provided in written form.

(MLOs K&U 1,2 IPDA 1,2,3, PVA 1,2)

None

None

The aim of this module is to provide you with an opportunity to independently lead and undertake a research study relevant to your field of practice with the support and guidance of a supervisor. Students will have the chance to work in a research rich environment conceptualising, planning, implementing and disseminating a research study of their own. Students will have access to a range of digital technology and software to support data collection and data anlaysis. Students will be able to identify and develop the required research skills to become more experienced, competent researchers able to communicate their research both in written and oral form. The dissertation represents the capstone of the degree, and will enhance employability and opportunities to undertake doctoral study and/or further research through gaining diverse skills including project and time management, planning, working with others, and communication skills.