VA7021 - Preventive Conservation Dissertation

The dissertation module reflects the wider ethos of the programme in that you learn by completing research via critical thinking, reflective practice and independent learning. This places you at the centre of your learning and requires you to be pro-active in driving your research forward and encourages you to develop the life-long learning skills fundamental to professional practice.

You are provided with six live, recorded lectures that you will access via Blackboard Ultra at your own pace, designed to take you through the various stages of researching and writing a masters level dissertation. You will also have one to one support via your assigned dissertation supervisor, who will help you select, implement and interpret appropriate research methodologies and design and carry out your research in a professional and timely manner.
The development of your personal research begins at the start of the programme and culminates in your choice of topic and submission of your dissertation.

You will be supported in writing your dissertation through a number of recorded sessions and online activities which cover how to choose a subject for research, how to shape an academic research project, how to define and refine a research question, how to develop and consider methodologies, how to find, collate, and present an appropriate range of sources, including academic sources. You will have access to clear written guidance on academic writing, citation and referencing with examples to refer to as appropriate.

You will be supported in individual tutorials booked with your allocated supervisor. The tutorials will be scheduled by mutual agreement and there will normally be a minimum of three opportunities to engage with your supervisor. You will have the opportunity to submit one draft of a chapter of your dissertation accordingly for comment to your supervisor for formative feedback. The feedback provided will enable you to enhance your work. You may also book appointments with your personal tutor, other academic tutors or student support sessions, should you require further support or have particular academic issues which you need to raise.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Demonstrate understanding of the relevance of the history, materials, creation, deterioration, vulnerability as well as the physical and chemical characteristics of items/collections of movable cultural heritage to their care, preventive conservation and interpretation in the context of a dissertation;
2. Have knowledge and understanding of how to contextualise, theorise, research, synthesise knowledge, evidence and present an original research enquiry as appropriate to a written dissertation at level seven.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. The ability to use critical thinking and reflective practice in an independent pro-active manner that draws upon and synthesises a wide range of knowledge and understanding in order to develop and implement appropriate strategies for the care and preventive conservation of items/collections of movable cultural heritage;
4. Demonstrate the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data that are communicated clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences in an appropriate format for a dissertation;
5. Demonstrate the ability to take responsibility for your own learning by developing a research context with reference to existing research sources for delivery of a dissertation;
6. Develop personal research built on a self-defined research question, devise appropriate methodology for responding to it and deliver in a clear, logical and appropriate format showing demonstrable originality of thought or approach.


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
7. Demonstrate enthusiasm, curiosity, integrity, ethical and professional awareness in all aspects of work, communication and engagement with others;
8. Undertake research enquiry in an ethical manner, complying with University procedures.

You will be assessed on this module by the completion of either:
1. A 15,000 word written dissertation OR
2. A project-based dissertation comprising of a project report (equivalent 7,500 words) together with a shorter research-focused written dissertation (7500 words)

120 credits at PG Dip

none

This exciting module provides you with a unique opportunity to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to conduct, develop and deliver Masters-level research within an area relevant to professional practice in Collections Care and Preventive Conservation. With guidance from your tutors, you will select a dissertation that best suits your own individual interests: You will select either a research topic in discussion with your module tutor and supervision team that suits your own individual research interests, choosing from:
1.A 15000 word literature-based research dissertation, requiring a synthesis, critical review, exploration and further development of an academic issue or professional topic - using existing academic and scholarly literature and, the interpretation of primary or historic sources or an applied research dissertation, requiring a qualitative or quantitative application of research methods enabling you to explore a problem-centred enquiry, combined with scholarly review of relevant knowledge. You will develop an evidence-based approach, interpreting primary data, observational data or engage in secondary analysis of existing data OR
2. An applied project-dissertation (based on a professional practice-led exploration of a problem or enquiry, combined with scholarly review of relevant knowledge. This centres your work around a practical or professional issue. The project-dissertation consists of 7500 words equivalent evidence/ reflection on your practice supported by a shorter academic written dissertation (7500 words).
All dissertations will have a strong theoretical and research context underpinning and will require a thorough literature review, or the secondary analysis of existing data. The dissertation also enables you to demonstrate time and project management skills and originality in researching a question which to date has not been explored in depth to date. Combined the module significantly adds to your professional profile and employability status.