Dissertation Services

We offer help with all dissertation services, including but not limited to, research proposals, complete researches, data collection, data analysis.

As a rule of thumb, full dissertations mainly include;

(i)         Introduction: contextualise background, offer purpose and rationale for research.  Identify aims /key questions / hypothesis.  (1000-1500 words)

 

(ii)        Literature Review:  scrutiny and critique of literature reviewed to inform thinking, the research topic and key questions. (3000-4000 words)

 

(iii)       Methodology: explanation and justification of research paradigm, methods and instruments selected.  (3000-4000 words)

 

(iv)       Data Analysis: presentation and analysis of findings from empirical data collection.  (4000-5000 words)

 

(vii)     Conclusions/Recommendations:  Summary of answers to your research aims, recommendations for future research, policy, and practice.  (1000-1500 words)

 

 

9. REFERENCE LIST

 

Following the last page of the main text a full list of references of all published works used to support the Dissertation should be provided.  The format for the reference list should conform to the APA referencing principles outlined in the University Library’s pamphlet.

Aims

1. To offer an opportunity for students to engage in sustained, rigorous, independent study of a well-defined issue within their relevant academic discipline and/or area of professional practice.
   2. To enable the application of advanced research management skills and the implementation of a well justified research methodology.
   3 . To require students to demonstrate understandings, conceptual insights and the qualities and transferable skills commensurate with study at Masters Level.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

1. Plan, execute and present a substantial dissertation/practitioner based enquiry project according to the specification provided
   2 . Critically justify, deploy and evaluate advanced techniques of analysis and enquiry within an ethical framework.
   3. Systematically interpret complex issues from literature, current research and other data and communicate conclusions coherently and appropriately for either the academic or workplace and professional community.
   4 . Appraise and identify the potential for new hypotheses and/or insights/and/or practices and ongoing study and research.
   5 . Critically reflect upon the development of their personal and professional development

 

 

Syllabus

The knowledge, understanding and practice base relating to that identified and negotiated as part of dissertation/project proposal and as discussed with an assigned dissertation tutor who will have expertise in the topic area and/or methodology deployed. Further guidance will be provided on the relevant subject specific research literature and methodologies chosen building upon the earlier Educational Research Methods module.

Assessment guidance

 

The handbook should be used as a guide for the preparation and presentation of the Dissertation

 

The Dissertation is the major component of the Masters programme.  It provides an opportunity for Course Members to focus upon, and to pursue, topics of interest or relevance raised during the taught and assessed elements of the Course.  Indeed, some of the preparatory work for the Dissertation will have been undertaken in the previous Modules and Assignments, in particular the research proposal.

 

When selecting a Dissertation topic a Course Member will need to ensure that it is:

 

(a)        a topic able to be investigated in the time, resources and opportunities available to them

 

(b)        able to meet, in its methodological approach and theoretical perspectives, the academic strictures of a higher degree

 

The choice of a Dissertation topic must follow extensive consultation with Module and Personal Tutors.

 

 

DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR SUPPORT

 

The Dissertation supervisor will expect to:

 

(a)        help the candidate systematically plan an appropriate course of study and research

(b)        discuss the progress of work

(c)        advise the candidate on how to construct the Dissertation in terms of aims, scope and presentation

(d)        require to see draft Sections before the completed Dissertation is presented for marking and presentation to the Module and Award Boards.

 

 

University protocol suggests a maximum of 10 hours tutorial support – this does not

need to be face to face contact- emails and or telephone conversations may be

equally appropriate.  However, there is an expectation of one face to face meeting

to be arranged for mutual convenience. Tutorial support includes  reading time of individual

chapters.

 

 

DISSERTATION GENERAL ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

 

A Dissertation is an advanced and scholarly piece of work judged in relation to its successful demonstration of:

 

• structural coherence showing evidence of planned, clearly identified themes
• the identification and application of appropriate methodology
• effective use of evidence
• critical awareness of contextual and theoretical backgrounds associated with the topic
• the development of personal and professional understanding.

 

The Dissertation should be written clearly and make use of standard English.  In addition to the    above General Assessment Criteria the following must also be demonstrated:

 

(a)        an appropriate level of understanding of the specific subject or substantive area identified by the candidate in the topic

 

(b)      a well-argued case based on the valid use of evidence

 

(c)        an appreciation of, and a response to, current issues in education/training management

 

(d)      the range and depth of the literature review

 

 

 

All marks or grades for assessed work are provisional until confirmed by a Module Assessment  Board.

 

      

              DISSERTATION LENGTH

 

For Masters level a dissertation of 15,000 words (plus or minus 10%) must be presented.

All dissertations are to be submitted via the moodle module. Please ensure your student id is used in the subject line when submitting. Any work that is significantly under length will be deemed unable to meet the criteria.

 

 

The format of the presentation should follow the usual School of Education and Childhood Studies guidelines. Please refer to Course Handbooks and School supplements.

 

Additionally as this is an extended piece of work you should either use headings and subheadings or number chapters and sections following report conventions.

 

As you will be aware students like to see copies of previous dissertations, we therefore will be asking you to complete a permission slip so that we can make your work available for others students. High quality work will be available electronically via the library. Permission to Share slip is available on page 10.