Overview

There are two dissertation pathways; XME-4103 Research Design project, and XME-4100 Applied Research project. If you are not a practitioner currently working in education, this Research Design project may be your preferred option. If you are currently working in education, please also see the information on XME-4100.

For students not currently working in education who are interested in conducting an Applied Research project, a voluntary research internship option may also be available. This would involve working with a supervisor who is already running a research project; you would work closely with the supervisor to assist with data collection and analysis. When available, these opportunities will be advertised to all students on the course, and you will have the opportunity to apply. Selection of students for the internship opportunities will occur following individual interviews.

If you do not have access to relevant settings for data collection then you will undertake a research design project. This will consist of a literature review, a proposed methodology - including in depth planning and critical discussion of methods and methodology, designing data collection tools (e.g. questionnaires, interviews, observation plans), and creating appropriate research ethics documents and a detailed discussion of data analysis. It will be presented as a 7000-word research design report (70%), a 20-minute viva presentation (15%) and a 2000 word critical reflection report following feedback from the viva (15%). You will not collect data for this dissertation.

Following on from your research methods module (XME-4401 or XME-4001), you will be allocated to a supervisor who will support you throughout your dissertation period. You will meet regularly with your supervisor, and will agree a timeline for submissions of draft work for feedback.

There are two dissertation pathways; XME-4103 Research Design project, and XME-4100 Applied Research project. If you are not a practitioner currently working in education, this Research Design project may be your preferred option. If you are currently working in education, please also see the information on XME-4100.

For students not currently working in education who are interested in conducting an Applied Research project, a voluntary research internship option may also be available. This would involve working with a supervisor who is already running a research project; you would work closely with the supervisor to assist with data collection and analysis. Each year, these opportunities will be advertised to all students on the course, and you will have the opportunity to apply. Selection of students for the internship opportunities will occur following individual interviews.

If you do not have access to relevant settings for data collection then you will undertake a research design project. This will consist of a literature review, a proposed methodology - including in depth planning and critical discussion of methods and methodology, designing data collection tools (e.g. questionnaires, interviews, observation plans), and creating appropriate research ethics documents and a detailed discussion of data analysis. It will be presented as a 7000-word research design report (70%), a 20-minute viva presentation (15%) and a 2000 word critical reflection report following feedback from the viva (15%).

Following on from your research methods module (XME-4401 or XME-4001), you will be allocated to a supervisor who will support you throughout your dissertation period. You will meet regularly with your supervisor, and will agree a timeline for submissions of draft work for feedback.

Assessment Strategy

The pass mark for this module is 50%. It is a core module so must be passed to achieve the MA qualification.

Threshold -50 -59% ( Pass). Adequate evidence of reading and planning. Limited evidence of critical reflection, understanding of key concepts and application of skills. A satisfactory description of research methods and analysis of results: conclusions are drawn from the results. An outline of ethical considerations provided. Sound overall structure and presentation.

Good -60 -69% (Merit) Showing insight and good evidence of critical reflection. Sustained and relevant chain of argument, good illustration, a sound basis of evidence and written with clarity.

Excellent -70 -100% ( Distinction). Outstanding in power of analysis, argument, originality, range of information, organisation, and stylistic quality.

Learning Outcomes

• Conduct a contemporary, detailed literature review at Master level to demonstrate a critical and balanced judgement when reviewing research papers.

• Consider ethical issues related to their research, understand the procedures needed to demonstrate compliance with School, College, University and workplace ethical requirements.

• Critically discuss the key issues raised during the oral presentation, revising the proposed study where relevant.

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the proposed study through an assessed oral presentation.

• Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate data analysis related to the proposed study and research questions.

• Demonstrate an understanding of research methodology, and be able to justify the research method(s) chosen to address the research question(s).

• Demonstrate expert knowledge in relation to the chosen area of research.

• Describe how the research would be conducted, in appropriate detail.

• Design a piece of quantitative and/or qualitative research, to address (a) relevant research question(s).