| Unit name | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYCM1000 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Contu |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
The dissertation is based upon an independent research project developed in consultation with an Advisor. Project topic areas will be presented to students for selection towards the end of the first teaching block. The dissertation provides students with practical experience of formulating, designing, and undertaking a substantive and original piece of research, in the form of hypothesis driven research, clinical audit, service evaluation or study design proposal. Students will also be required to develop an understanding of any research governance issues pertaining to their chosen project.
The central learning outcome is that students should understand the principles underlying design, implementation and communication of a research project.
The project process begins with a presentation of the topic areas UoB members of academic staff are able to supervise.
Once a student is allocated a supervisor there will be regular meetings with the supervisor during which there will be discussion of hypotheses or scientific questions, and appropriate design/analysis to test their research questions. During the course of the dissertation process, there will be meetings to ensure that projects are on track. Supervisors do not read drafts of dissertations; therefore, students should note that discussions with their supervisors play a critical role.
Research dissertation in American Psychological Association (APA) style with a maximum of 8,000 words (100%) for quantitative studies, clinical audit, service evaluation or study design proposals, and 9,000 words (100%) for qualitative studies.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PSYCM1000).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
