Course Catalogue

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This course enables students to apply the skills, methods, and theoretical frameworks of their programme specialism to a substantive real-world project. Students will produce a project output that responds to a defined research question, practical problem, or professional brief within the field of Archives, Records and Information Management; Digital Humanities; Library and Information Studies; or Museum Studies. Outputs may take a variety of forms depending on the programme specialism: for example, a digital edition, dataset, or tool, an exhibition concept, collection development plan, audience research report, an information audit, policy document, service evaluation, or policy brief. All outputs should be situated within the broader scholarly and professional context of the student's field and accompanied by a critical reflection on the research and development process

4 x 1 hour supervision meetings May-August

5 x 1 hour drop-in group tutorials May-August

Standard entry to Masters at College Level.

A candidate will be permitted to progress to preparation of the dissertation, or other substantial independent work required by the degree, only if he or she has obtained a grade point average of 12 (equivalent to C3) or above in the taught courses with at least 75% of the credits at grade D3 or better and all credits at grade F or above.

INFOST5045P Dissertation

Project Output representing 300 hours of effort (60%): a substantive piece of applied work responding to a defined research question or professional brief within the student's programme specialism.

4,000-word Critical Reflection (40%): a scholarly account of the research and development process, situating the project within the broader literature and professional context of the student's field and critically evaluating the methods, decisions, and outcomes of the project.

This course aims to:

■ Enable students to apply skills, methods, and theoretical frameworks from their programme specialism to a substantive real-world project or professional brief.

■ Engage students with existing research and professional practice in their field, supporting the development of original contributions or new insights.

■ Foster critical reflection on the challenges, methodologies, and ethical dimensions of working on applied projects within the student's professional field.

■ Support the development of independent, self-directed research that addresses a practical problem or research question within the student's programme specialism.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Apply and adapt advanced methods, tools, and frameworks from their programme specialism to produce a project output that responds creatively and critically to a defined research question or professional brief.

2. Design and implement a coherent project methodology that reflects technical or professional proficiency, methodological rigour, and awareness of the research context.

3. Integrate the project output within the broader landscape of their programme specialism, articulating its relevance and contribution to scholarship and professional practice.

4. Critically evaluate the methodologies and ethical considerations underpinning the project, identifying limitations and proposing future research directions or improvements.

5. Reflect critically on the research and creative process, identifying key moments of learning, technical development, and conceptual insight.

6. Communicate research findings and project outcomes effectively in both the project output/s and an accompanying critical reflection, demonstrating clarity, scholarly rigour, and awareness of audience