Unit name | Preparation for Dissertation |
---|---|
Unit code | EDUCD0089 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | D/8 |
Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
Unit director | Dr. Reed |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
Understanding Educational Research, 3 other substantive units |
Co-requisites |
None |
School/department | School of Education |
Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit assumes and builds on the introduction to educational research provided in Understanding Educational Research. It is not subject- or discipline-specific, but is concerned with generic issues involved in developing research to be published in the form of a dissertation. Issues of methodology and research design link questions of topic, theory and method, and provide contexts for informed choice of methods. Using examples from existing EdDs, issues around the crafting of the dissertation, and of ways that good ideas can be made into good dissertations are critically discussed, with an emphasis (1) on structure and organisation of the dissertation as a whole, and (2) writing as academic practice. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of the ethical dimensions of the dissertation. A key focus is on making the most of the supervisory relationship. Emphasis is placed on the importance of practical (access; scheduling) as well as academic issues.
Aims:
Upon completion of this unit participants will be able to:
Teaching and learning opportunities will include both tutor and student presentations, seminars, small group work and micro-skills sessions.
A 4,000 word dissertation proposal. Students will be expected to identify relevant research literature, outline research questions and describe a research method that would address them. Critical appraisal of the research approach being proposed will be expected.