Course Catalogue

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In the MSc Dissertation Project, students will conduct an independent research project on their chosen social science topic within the disciplines and topics taught in the School of Social and Political Sciences. This gives them the opportunity to consolidate and apply their methods skills, and develop expertise in a substantive social science topic of interest.

June - September (with supervision arrangements formalised in Semester 2).

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MSc dissertation project courses in the School of Social and Political Sciences:

■ MSc Dissertation Project (Central & East European Studies) CEES5016P

■ MSc Dissertation Project (Criminology) SOCIO5070P

■ MSc Dissertation Project (Global Economy) SPS5010P

■ MSc Dissertation Project (Global Health) SOCIO5099P

■ Postgraduate Dissertation (Politics) POLITIC5014P

■ MSc Dissertation Project (Sociology) SOCIO5071P

■ MSc Dissertation Project (Urban Studies) URBAN5080P

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12,000 word written dissertation (100%)

Programme / course convenors and teaching staff will ensure that due consideration is given to students with disabilities, and that reasonable adjustments are implemented wherever possible, in consultation with relevant support services. 

A Flexible Assessment approach will be applied, in line with Disability Service recommendations. This includes:  

■ Consideration of alternative assessment formats where appropriate (e.g., adaptations to oral assessments) 

■ Implementation of reasonable adjustments on a case-by-case basis

For the MSc dissertation project students will identify an original research question or objective and conduct independent research on their chosen social science topic spanning the disciplines represented in the School of Social and Political Sciences.

The resultant dissertation gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to undertake an extensive independent piece of postgraduate research under the guidance of a supervisor. The project allows student to consolidate the methodological skills learned during the MSc Social Science Research Methods, as well as achieving in-depth knowledge in substantive social science topic area (e.g., International Relations, Politics, Social Policy, Sociology) but also may include research specifically on social science methods and methodologies. As such the dissertation is further an opportunity to prepare for research at a PhD-level.

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

■ Plan a substantial, independent social science research project based on an answerable research question/objective.

■ Evaluate different research methods and methodologies in their ability to address the project's research question accounting for practical, ethical and research philosophical issues.

■ Apply social science data collection and/or analysis methods to address the project's research question.

■ Compose a research report according to relevant quality standards, with a critical appraisal of existing relevant research and appropriate conclusions.