Dissertation
Student Handbook
LLP50META. (all programmes)
2024-25
Introduction
A dissertation is a piece of independent academic research in which you identify and investigate a particular research question, doing so in a systematic and in-depth way over several months. This is undertaken under the guidance of an assigned academic supervisor. The dissertation is your opportunity to immerse yourself in a topic of your choice, reading extensively and applying research skills and reaching conclusions.
The dissertation is one-third of your degree. It counts as 60 of the 180 credits that make up a master’s degree. Each module you take in semesters 1 and 2 are each worth 15 credits. The dissertation is therefore worth the same as the four modules in a single semester. You cannot be awarded a master’s degree without passing the dissertation.
Your completed dissertation will demonstrate the research you have undertaken to address a research question (this might involve, for example, policy analysis, gathering data, reviewing literature, conducting interviews, performing assessments, administering a survey, developing algorithms, designing protocols, testing proof-of- concepts, and so on). As a piece of academic work, it must include evidence of your awareness of and engagement with key academic literature relating to the area or topic of study and how it relates to your research question.
This handbook explains the requirements that apply to all dissertations and the processes you must follow while writing and submitting your dissertation. You should read the handbook carefully. Your supervisor will expect you to have read the handbook before approaching them with questions about your dissertation.
This handbook should be read in conjunction with any documents your institute provides outlining the institute’s own dissertation training and requirements.
This handbook explains the following:
o Deadlines and key dates
o The Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
o The various formats of dissertation
o Where to find dissertation information on Learn
o Assessments, where to submit your work, and requirements for submissions
o The support provided by the school, your institute, and your supervisor
o Details about ethics and academic integrity
o Advice about how to research and write your dissertation
o Details of dissertation training and supervision
o How your dissertation will be marked and the assessment criteria
Your timetable and your institute’s dissertation Learn page will provide more details as to what classes you are expected to attend and what optional classes are offered.
Intended Learning Outcomes
On successfully completing your dissertation, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:
o The importance of project planning
o The importance of a clear hypothesis or research question
o The ethical implications of research
o The relevant empirical data and methodologies for data collection or knowledge assimilation for the subject area
o Methods of data analysis and their suitability for the intended data
o Areas of expertise or publications of major individuals or organisations in the subject
o The previous research or current knowledge in the specific subject
o Theoretical perspectives relevant to the chosen topic
o The data or knowledge that you have assimilated in the course of the project
o The most effective methods of presenting this data or knowledge
You will also be able to demonstrate the following cognitive skills:
o Articulate a clear, coherent and original research question, hypothesis or business problem in a suitable subject area
o Synthesise relevant sources (e.g. research literature, primary data) to construct a coherent argument in response to your research question or hypothesis
o Analyse primary or secondary data collected by an appropriate method
o Critically evaluate data collected in context with previously published knowledge or information
o Engage in critical debate and argumentation in written work
o Apply principles of good scholarly practice to your written work
You will have demonstrated the following practical skills:
o Perform. appropriate literature searching, using library databases or other reputable sources
o Determine the most appropriate research methods for a particular subject area
o Plan a research project, produce a Gantt chart showing the intended timeline
o Synthesise information from appropriate sources
o Demonstrate rational use of research method tools
Finally, you will have developed the following key transferable skills:
o Select and use appropriate investigative and research skills
o Demonstrate effective project planning skills
o Find and evaluate scholarly sources
o Engage in critical reasoning, debate and argumentation
o Demonstrate effective report writing skills
o Recognise and use your resources effectively
o Demonstrate resourcefulness to carry out data collection
o Successfully manage a project from idea to completion
o Demonstrate commercial awareness or the impact of knowledge transfer in a business or research environment
Dissertation Formats
You can choose one of two routes for your dissertation. Whichever is chosen, it is expected that you will achieve a high level of understanding in your subject area and produce a written thesis which discusses your research in depth and with academic rigour. Both routes involve the two assessed components of a 1,500 word research proposal (20%), and a final 10,000 word dissertation (80%).
Dissertation formats
All dissertations are 10,000 words long. Some institutes are trialling dissertations (for both traditional or collaborative) with formats in which the 10,000 words are divided up in specific ways. You will be informed by your institute if this option is available to you.
Traditional dissertation
This is a research-based dissertation of 10,000 words on a topic of interest to you and relevant to your programme. You will be supported by your assigned supervisor. The research can involve both primary and secondary sources. It can involve fieldwork where you gather data or be entirely desk-based. Most students will take this route.
Collaborative dissertation
For this route the dissertation addresses a research question that has been co-created with an external organisation who is integral to the research. The topic is jointly agreed by you, the organisation, and your dissertation supervisor. It can be realised in the following formats:
a) A project-based dissertation: research conducted remotely from a partner organisation, which may involve collection of primary data from this organisation or based on lab/field experiments.
b) An internship-based dissertation: as above, but also at times conducted within the partner organisation’s premises while completing additional operational internship activities (subject to a suitable internship position being obtained by the student).
Be warned that all opportunities are competitive and as such you should also plan for a traditional dissertation route as a fallback plan. The Collaborative Dissertation also brings with it unique challenges, such as working with both your supervisor and collaboraitive partner. You are still expected to produce a dissertation which discusses your research in depth and with academic rigour.
For further details about the Collaborative Dissertation use the Collaborative DissertationResourcessection in Handshake.