MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE

MODULE DETAILS

Module title

Dissertation

Module code

HEM96

Credit value

60

Level

Mark the box to the right of the appropriate level with an X

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

X

Level 8

Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)

Entry criteria for registration on this module

Pre-requisites

Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent

Course specific entry requirements student on postgraduate post-registration taught course in School of Health Sciences

Co-requisite modules

Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent

Module delivery

Mode of delivery

Taught

Distance

Placement

Online

Other

Research supervision

Pattern of delivery

Weekly

Block

Other

x

When module is delivered

Semester 1

Semester 2

Throughout year

Other

Extensive 600 hours independent study

Brief description of module content and/ or aims

Overview (max 80 words)

The dissertation is seen as a major test of Masters level study and as such involves the integration of the research knowledge and philosophies underpinning the Masters course. The student is required to demonstrate a high level of understanding of the philosophy and principles of research and show competence in the design, execution and reporting of a research project. In this way the students ability is developed to subsequently carry out research independently and to commission, manage and evaluate the research of others.

The dissertation topic may be identified at the beginning of the course or may emerge later in the programme through the insights and understanding gained from the core modules.

Students will be encouraged to choose a dissertation topic, which is relevant to their professional interests, accurately reflects the title of the award and is capable of practical application and benefit in their work setting.

Module team/ author/ coordinator(s)

Helen Fiddler (coordinator), Bev Durrant, Clair Hebron, Lucy Redhead, Jon Wright

School

School of Health Sciences

Site/ campus where delivered

Robert Dodd Building, Eastbourne

Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course

Course

Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional*)

*Mandatory: a module that must be taken and passed;

Compulsory: a module that must be taken but may be compensated for if failed

Optional/mandatory: used in the Faculty of H&SS where a student has a choice of modules. Once chosen, the module must be passed.

Optional/compulsory: Once chosen, the module must be taken but may be compensated for if failed.

Post Registration MSc courses in School of Health Sciences

Mandatory

MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

Aims

The module is designed to allow students the opportunity to engage in an extended and rigorous piece of personal and independent research arising out of their prior programme of study and allied to their professional field.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:

identify clear aims appropriate to a master's level dissertation and to their professional situation

demonstrate a high level of autonomy and responsibility in planning and executing the dissertation process

identify a research question, carry out an investigation of the problem, and present findings in a clear and thoughtful way

identify and apply appropriate choice of methodology and critical awareness of data collection, methods used, including those for the interpretation of data

identify limitations of the study

demonstrate a critical awareness of ethical and methodological issues both in planning and execution of the study

demonstrate an in depth of knowledge in the appropriate field of study

demonstrate an increased independence of view, and demonstrate the ability to analyse critically, make judgements and draw conclusions

demonstrate a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice.

Content

The module content will meet the specific requirements of the course for which the student is registered and will depend on the nature of the students chosen topic and methodology.

A notional 600 hours of independent study.

Content may include: the research process; using electronic databases; scientific writing; critical analysis; qualitative and/or quantitative research; quantitative data analysis statistics/associated computing and/or qualitative analysis techniques; reliability, validity, experimental design, survey and/or questionnaire design; ethics, governance and research.

Learning support

Indicative reading:

Latest editions of the following texts:

Findlay, L. and Ballinger, C. (Eds) Qualitative Research for Allied Health Professionals: Challenging Choices. Chichester: Whurr Publishers Limited

Hart, C. Doing a literature review : releasing the social science research imagination. London : Sage

Hicks, C. Research Methods for Clinical Therapists. Churchill Livingstone

Howitt, D. & and Cramer, D. First Steps in Research and Statistics Routledge

Polgar ,S Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences Churchill Livingstone

Rowntree, Statistics Without Tears: a primer for non-mathematicians. Penguin

Rudessham, K.E. and Newton, R.R. Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. Newbury Park, CA. Sage

Silverman , D Doing Qualitative Research: a practical handbook. Sage

Sapsford, & Abbott. Research Methods for Nurses and the Caring Professions. Open University Press

Somekh, B. and Lewin, C. (Eds) Research Methods in the Social Sciences. London: Sage.

Teaching and learning activities

Details of teaching and learning activities

Module handbook, dissertation day, dissertation supervisor

The pattern of supervision tutorials will be a matter of negotiation between the individuals concerned. Students should contact their supervisor on a monthly basis via telephone, e-mail, or by post. A written record of supervision will be kept by the student and copied to the supervisor following contact. Where students work at a distance from the University, or abroad, this may be the major form of support.

The students responsibility is to initiate and maintain contact with the supervisor and work independently with some supervisory guidance. Students are expected to demonstrate initiative and take control of their own research. The student should make every effort to present possible solutions to problems and to share these with the supervisor.

The supervisors responsibility is to provide guidance for the student throughout the research process and to give critical and evaluative comment on the progress of the project work and the dissertation. Where appropriate, supervisors will visit students in their chosen project environment.

The supervisor will see up to two drafts of the introduction, method, examples of raw data and examples of the methods of analysis and interpretation, and the results section. It is policy that supervisors will not read drafts of the discussion and conclusion section. These sections demonstrate the ability of the student to interpret and analyse findings and so must be independent work.

Students will normally be expected to undertake one of the research methods modules available within the GPHSS as preparation for this dissertation module. The research methods

module may be a taught module or may be studied on-line.

Students will normally be required to attend a dissertation day (5 hours) in the School of Health Professions as part of the dissertation process.

Students will be required to submit a dissertation proposal for approval to the MSc course leaders group in the School of Health Professions, after which a supervisor will be appointed; joint supervision may be necessary in some cases.

The supervisor will normally be a member of the course team who is familiar with the broad area of study selected by the student and who has the appropriate academic and professional expertise. Where necessary, alternative supervisors may be identified within the Faculty.

The student will be entitled to 8 hours of supervisory contact time. The supervisor will help students become self critical, and support their growing autonomy as researchers.

The dissertation supervisor will facilitate student development, help students become self critical and support their growing autonomy as researchers

Where necessary an appropriate a mentor will be appointed in the work based setting in order to provide additional support for the student in that environment.

Students will undertake the research by design option where there may be problems obtaining ethics approval for a small scale study or completing within a specific time frame related to their Masters degree

Students undertaking the research by design option will be required to submit a completed ethics proforma (School of Health Professions Postgraduate Ethics Proforma) to the MSc Course Leaders group for approval as part of their research process.

Allocation of study hours (indicative)

Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours

Study hours

SCHEDUL