This module involves working on an individual dissertation with the guidance of an individual supervisor and participating in a series of workshops designed to provide guidance for key stages of the dissertation. The dissertation requires students to conduct independent, original research on a topic of significance in relation to the student’s degree programme (i.e. sociology, criminology or media studies as appropriate). This will involve reviewing appropriate literature, developing a suitable research approach and carrying out appropriate forms of analysis. This analysis  may relate to data collected by the student (through interviews, self-completion questionnaires or observation for example), to secondary analysis of large-scale or other existing data sets, to library research on primary theoretical sources, or to  artistic, literary or media content.

·         The dissertation aims to provide experience of undertaking an individual research project

• The workshops aim to provide support for all stages of dissertation preparation

On completion of this module students should be able to:

·         Formulate a clear research question and design appropriate methodology for a small piece of social, criminological or media research

·         Critically review academic literature relevant to the research question

·         Identify or collect relevant data, documents, media content or primary theoretical sources

·         Undertake appropriate analysis and identify findings

·         Develop conclusions through relating findings to existing research and/or theory.

The dissertation requires students to conduct independent, original research on a topic of significance in relation to the student’s degree programme (i.e. sociology, criminology or media studies as appropriate).

The workshops will provide support for key stages of dissertation preparation including:

• developing a research question

   

• reviewing literature

   

• designing a research project

   

• ethical issues

   

• data analysis

   

• drawing conclusions

   

·         6 x 2 hr workshops which will integrate elements of lecture style content with practical, student-centred exercises

·         Individual sessions with dissertation supervisor

·         Individual reading, data collection, analysis and writing up of dissertation

Bell, J. (1993) Doing Your Research Project Open University Press

O’Leary, Z (2004) The Essential Guide to Doing Research London : Sage

Robson, C. (1993) Real World Research Oxford: Blackwell

Smith, K., Todd, M, & Waldman, J. (2009) Doing Your Undergraduate Social Science Dissertation London : Routledge