Dissertation

Module code: PL7503

The dissertation provides an opportunity for you to develop a specific subject and specialist knowledge, which means that your research has to be on a topic that fits with your degree title. It is is broken down into four stages, each of which follows a taught module. Each stage develops skills that will help you to write your dissertation. You are also assigned to a Dissertation Supervisor after completion of Stage 2 and the submission of the dissertation proposal.

The four stages of the dissertation module are as follows:

• Dissertation part 1: This stage of the dissertation module introduces you to independent research, a key skill of postgraduate study. It explores how a research question is chosen and develops the skills needed to begin an extended research project.
• Dissertation part 2: In this stage of the module you'll look at example dissertation proposals and revisit the topic selected in Part One before moving on to develop an outline of your own research project and discussing the ethical implications of research. This module will culminate in you submitting a dissertation proposal.
• Dissertation part 3: Here you'll look in detail at literature reviews and how they can be used to further understanding of the research topic. This module will be an opportunity for you to develop your own literature reviews as a starting point for writing up the dissertation.
• Dissertation part 4: This final stage of the dissertation module is designed to help you through the writing up stage. It encourages you to revisit the research question and brings together all the skills learnt on the previous stages. The module provides an open forum for you to discuss your work with peers, and finishes with submitting the dissertation.