Module Catalogue 2024/25

GEO8089 : Research Dissertation

GEO8089 : Research Dissertation

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Craig Jones
  • Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 3 Credit Value: 60
ECTS Credits: 30.0
European Credit Transfer System
Pre-requisite

Modules you must have done previously to study this module

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co-Requisite

Modules you need to take at the same time

Code Title
GEO8015Doing Geographical Research
GEO8016Philosophies in Human Geography
GEO8017Human Geography: Concepts in Action
HSS8001Thinking about Research
HSS8002Information Skills
HSS8003Dissertation Preparation
HSS8004Qualitative Methodology in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
HSS8005Quantitative Analysis
Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•       To allow students to undertake an independent research project on a topic of their choice, subject to the approval of the Programme Director.
•       To allow the application and development of:
-       relevant research methods (generic and subject-specific)
-       relevant research skills (generic and subject-specific)

Module Outline: Students will have undertaken training for their Research Dissertation and the production of a Research Dissertation Proposal within other MA modules. The Programme Director will have approved choice of topic and allocated a relevant supervisor.

Outline Of Syllabus

Research Dissertation Guidelines booklet
From Week 10 of Semester 2 attend a minimum of two supervisions with allocated Supervisor.

Module content will comprise:
-       individual meetings between supervisor and student
-       independent primary research by the student which will vary in nature according to the topic selected
-       the production of a Research Dissertation by the student

Learning Outcomes

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The ability to plan, execute and write up a high-level (MA) piece of original research.

The dissertation provides students with the opportunity to undertake in-depth research on a topic which they feel is both important and interesting. In addition, the dissertation enables students to practise and develop skills which may subsequently be used in related activities such as writing for publication or research for a PhD, in particular the critical use of literature, evidence and research techniques.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The ability to plan a research project.
The ability to analyze abstract concepts
The ability to manage time.
The ability to select the appropriate research methods.
The ability to communicate research findings in writen form.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion1300:00300:00N/A
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials11:001:00Present in Person 'Module Introduction' lecture with ML in S1
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery11:001:00One to one meeting with the module leader
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1294:00294:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDissertation/project related supervision41:004:00One-to-one meetings with nominated supervisors
Total600:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The module handbook has been clearly designed to provide all the basic information necessary to start the dissertation planning. One-to-one sessions with the module leader will provide bespoke guidance to develop research ideas into a doable project.

Each student is required to:

* see the supervisor at an initial meeting to discuss the proposed topic of the dissertation;
* prepare a dissertation proposal, giving details on the topic, a literature review, the proposed structure, the methodology, research sources and timetable. The student will arrange a second meeting with the supervisor to discuss the proposal;

Reading Lists

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Dissertation3M100Research Dissertation (15,000 words)
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Dissertation project is the summation of the student's efforts in undertaking an original research project of their own conception and design. The Dissertation will demonstrate how the students have formulated their research topic, situated them in the appropriate literature, developed a conceptual framework and methodology, undertaken research, analysed, interpreted and discussed findings, drawn conclusions and delivered a well-written, well-presented report to the appropriate academic standard.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.

In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.

Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.