| CODE | MCS3000 | ||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 16 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Media and Communications | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The dissertation study-unit provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project, applying both theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired throughout their course of study. Students will have already identified a research topic aligned with the themes covered in their programme and their individual areas of interest. In some cases, students may choose to pursue a project based on one of the practical components of the course, either instead of, or alongside, a more traditional research topic. Once the proposal is submitted, it is reviewed by the Dissertations Committee of the Department of Media and Communications. Following approval, each student is assigned a supervisor who offers appropriate academic guidance. Throughout the process, students are expected to work independently while maintaining regular contact with their supervisors. The independent dissertation project involves key research elements, including the clear formulation of a research question, a review of relevant literature, selection and application of a suitable methodology, data collection and analysis, and discussion of the findings. For practical projects, only minimal empirical research may be required. In such cases, the written component typically consists of a literature review to contextualise the work and a journal reflecting on the application of knowledge in practice. Study-Unit Aims: - To provide students with the opportunity to conduct an independent research project; - To provide students with the opportunity to delve into further detail of an area that they are particularly interested in; - To enable students to become familiar with research methodologies and practices; - To develop students' skills in conducting and presenting research; - To enable students to create practical projects in areas pertaining to Media and Communications. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify the main stages in the research process; - Identify and distinguish between primary and secondary data sources; - List and explain different methodologies for data collection; - Describe different statistical techniques for data analysis; - Explain how scientific research can provide insights into different areas of Media and Communications; - Create practical projects that provide a product (such as a video, printed publication, website, etc.) that pertain to different areas of Media and Communciations. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Work independently on a research project; - Formulate and clearly state a research question and/or hypothesis; - Design a methodology for data collection; - Select and apply appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis; - Discuss the implications of research results obtained; - Critique his/her own research, identifying both strengths and weaknesses; - Cite sources of information in an appropriate manner. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Greetham, B., 2014. How to write your undergraduate dissertation (2nd ed). Palgrave. ISBN: 978-1137389763. Supplementary Readings: - Adu, P., & Miles, D.A. (2023). Dissertation Research Methods: A Step-by-Step guide to Writing up your Research in the Social Sciences. Routledge. ISBN: 978-1032213859. - Glatthorn, A., 1998. Writing the winning dissertation: a step-by-step guide. Corwin P. ISBN: 0-8039-6678-4. - Sternad, D., & Power, H. (2023). The Thesis Writing Survival Guide” Research and Write an Academic Thesis or Dissertation with Less Stress. Econcise. ISBN: 978-3903386167. - Walliman, N., 2013. Your undergraduate dissertation: the essential guide for success (2nd ed). Sage. ISBN: 978-1446253199. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE MCS3200 | ||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Dissertation | ||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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