| CODE | PPL5019 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation Research Seminars | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Public Policy | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides students a deeper understanding of what is expected from their dissertation. Each seminar/workshop, through presentations delivered by academic staff, will focus on particular parts of the research process, including identifying the research gap and articulating the research question, the review of the literature, designing the appropriate methodological approaches, analysing and interpreting data and drawing conclusions from the research. Additional tips relating to writing up a dissertation and defending it during a viva will be provided. In addition, this study-unit provides students with the opportunity to present and discuss the research being conducted for their dissertation. A number of academic members of staff will provide feedback to each student who will in this way be exposed to different perspectives. At the same time, students learn, reflect on and debate different themes which other students are researching. Study-Unit Aims: This study unit is intended: (a) to coach students to reflect on, critically discuss and debate different perspectives and scholarly literature related to the chosen fields of research (including governance, policy sciences, Europeanisation of policy-making, politics, policy leadership and public and private sector management); (b) to assist students sharpen their focus, ensure scientific rigour in conducting research and make a valid contribution to knowledge through their dissertation. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (a) debate with authority, on the basis of sound research, a sub-theme related to governance, policy sciences, Europeanisation of policy-making, politics, policy leadership and public and private sector management; (b) appreciate different perspectives related to the sub-field; (c) appreciate different possible methodological approaches and modes of interpreting data; (d) defend the dissertation during a viva voce examination more effectively. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: (a) identify research gaps and formulate precise research questions; (b) sharpen the focus of one’s research; (c) strengthen the chosen methodological approaches; (d) deliver presentations about the research being conducted for the dissertation to a critical academic audience; (e) be aware of and defend assumptions underlying the research; (f) appraise research being conducted by others; and (g) debate selected themes on the basis of the presented research. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Text: (a) Saunders, M.N.K., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2015) Research Methods for Business Students. Essex: Pearson. Supplementary Readings: (a) Joyner, R.L., Rouse, W.A. and Glatthorn, A.A. (2013) Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide. London: Sage Publications. (b) Lei, S. A. (2009) Strategies For Finding And Selecting An Ideal Thesis Or Dissertation Topic: A Review Of Literature. College Student Journal, 43(4), pp.1324-1332. (c) Cassuto, L. The dissertation defense: We're doing something right. The Chronicle of Higher Education, Vol . 59 (10). (d) Hall, P A. (1990). Helpful hints for writing dissertations in Comparative Politics, Political Science and Politics, 1990, Vol.23(4), pp.596-598. (e) Murray, N B. (2009). Inside Track: Writing Dissertations and Theses. Pearson Longman. (f) Murray, R. (2011). How to Write a Thesis. Open University Press. (g) Crème P. and Lea M.R. (2008), Writing at University – A Guide for Students. UK: Open University Press. (h) Hart, C. (2009), Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination. Great Britain: Sage Publication. (i) Levin, P. (2008), Excellent Dissertations. UK: Open University Press. (j) Scruton, R. (2007), The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought. UK: Palgrave Macmillan Publishing. (k) Truss, L. (2003), Eats, Shoots & Leaves! The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation. UK: Profile Books Ltd. (l) Franklin, M.I. (2012), Understanding Research: Coping with the Quantitative - Qualitative Divide, Routledge. (m) Libman, A. (2012), Learning to Be Different: Quantitative Research in Economics and Political Science, Rationality Markets and Morals, 3, pp.178–184. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Co-requisite Study-unit: PPL5009 | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Seminar | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Mario Thomas Vassallo (Co-ord.) |
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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 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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