Studying at York
Empirical Dissertation - EDU00001H
Module summary
"The Dissertation is a small-scale independent research study of 7000 words, worth 40 credits, based on one of the following:
1. Empirical data you have collected through use of some method(s) of data collection such as questionnaires, interviews or direct observation
2. An analysis of primary material informed by academic reading.
Primary material may be composed of, and not limited to, any of the following:
- data you have collected through use of some method(s) of data collection such as questionnaires, interviews or direct observation.
- existing or ‘secondary’ data to which you have had access, such as government statistics
- a text or corpus of texts; e.g. literary texts (including film and other visual material); historical or archival material; policy documents; philosophical or theoretical texts on education.
Your approach will inform the scope, structure, methods, and analysis of your research project. You will be expected to show awareness of the (inter) disciplinary field your research belongs to. Both types of dissertation will report your findings, and make reference to relevant writings and studies already published. Guidance and marking criteria are provided for dissertations involving (a) empirical data collection and (b) analysis of primary material. These have been developed specifically for the dissertation and are different to the generic marking criteria. You are advised to refer to this guide and the York APA style guide throughout your final year."
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 to Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
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To provide students with the opportunity to engage in depth with literature around a specific topic and demonstrate a high level of critical analysis
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To give students experience in utilising the research skills and knowledge developed over stage 1 and stage 2 of the programme
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To give students experience of generating a research question and/or formulating a hypothesis based on existing literature that is appropriate to their programme of study..
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To give students experience in choosing and employing appropriate methods of investigation with which to address the question and demonstrate consideration of ethical issues when designing their study
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To give students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in academic writing, critical analysis and research design through a written report of their work.
Module learning outcomes
Subject content
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Formulate a clear research question which demonstrates engagement with appropriate literature and a detailed level of understanding of their chosen topic
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Generate a testable research question &/or hypothesis and select appropriate methods of investigation including use of appropriate methodology e.g. qualitative or quantitative, selecting or developing appropriate measures, or designing experimental paradigms.
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Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical issues involved in their research by producing an ethics proposal outlining their approach to these issues.
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Demonstrate skill in data analysis using their chosen method and presenting their results in a clear and appropriate form
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Interpret research findings with reference to existing literature
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Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their design
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Discuss the educational implications of their findings.
Academic and graduate skills
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Formulate academic arguments in written and oral form
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Manage a range of sources and critically evaluate the reliability and validity of these in informing and supporting academic argumentation
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Analyse the ways in which theories and data from differing disciplines can inform each other and enhance understanding (in this case, of educational diversity)
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Use the VLE and Internet effectively
Module content
Week 1/2 - Supervision
Week 2 - Intro the Dissertation
Week 3 - Ethics Intro/ Overview
Week 5 - Ethics Workshop (+Supervision, later in term if not needed)
Break Week
Week 6 - Ethics Deadline
Week 9 - Next Steps After Ethics Workshop
Week 10 - Shut up and Write Session
Week 1 - Next Steps Refresher/ Online drop-in
Week 2 - Supervision
Week 3 - Shut up and Write Session
Week 5 - Online Drop-In and Analysis Support
Week 6 - Shut up and Write Session and Analysis Support (+Supervision)
Easter Break
Week 7 - Face to Face Drop-In and Analysis Support
Week 9 - Editing and Formatting Workshop and Analysis Support
Week 10 - Final Supervision (this will depend on the dissertation deadline and should be no less than three weeks before)
Week 11 - Shut up and Write Session
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Graduate/Postgraduate Dissertation | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessments. The feedback is returned to students in line with university policy. Please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.
Indicative reading
Aron, A., Aron, E., & Coups, E. (2010). Statistics for the behavioral and social sciences: A brief course (5th ed.). New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Pallant, J. (2010). SPSS survival manual: A step by step guide to data analysis using the SPSS program (4th ed.). Berkshire, UK: McGraw Hill.
Coolican, H. (2009). Research methods and statistics in psychology. London: Hodder.