MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE

MODULE DETAILS

Module title / Dissertation
Module code / HEM96
Credit value / 60
Level
Mark the box to the right of the appropriate level with an ‘X’ / Level 4 / Level 5 / Level 6 / Level 7 / X / Level 8
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent / Course specific entry requirements – student on postgraduate post-registration taught course in School of Health Sciences
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery / Taught / Distance / Placement / Online
Other / Research supervision
Pattern of delivery / Weekly / Block / Other / x
When module is delivered / Semester 1 / Semester 2 / Throughout year
Other / Extensive – 600 hours independent study
Brief description of module content and/ or aims
Overview (max 80 words) / The dissertation is seen as a major test of Master’s level study and as such involves the integration of the research knowledge and philosophies underpinning the Master’s course. The student is required to demonstrate a high level of understanding of the philosophy and principles of research and show competence in the design, execution and reporting of a research project. In this way the student’s ability is developed to subsequently carry out research independently and to commission, manage and evaluate the research of others.
The dissertation topic may be identified at the beginning of the course or may emerge later in the programme through the insights and understanding gained from the core modules.
Students will be encouraged to choose a dissertation topic, which is relevant to their professional interests, accurately reflects the title of the award and is capable of practical application and benefit in their work setting.
Module team/ author/ coordinator(s) / Helen Fiddler (coordinator), Bev Durrant, Clair Hebron, Lucy Redhead, Jon Wright
School / School of Health Sciences
Site/ campus where delivered / Robert Dodd Building, Eastbourne
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course / Status (mandatory/ compulsory/ optional*)
*Mandatory: a module that must be taken and passed;
Compulsory: a module that must be taken but may be compensated for if failed
Optional/mandatory: used in the Faculty of H&SS where a student has a choice of modules. Once chosen, the module must be passed.
Optional/compulsory: Once chosen, the module must be taken but may be compensated for if failed.
Post Registration MSc courses in School of Health Sciences / Mandatory

MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT

Aims / The module is designed to allow students the opportunity to engage in an extended and rigorous piece of personal and independent research arising out of their prior programme of study and allied to their professional field.
Learning outcomes / On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
·  identify clear aims appropriate to a master's level dissertation and to their professional situation
·  demonstrate a high level of autonomy and responsibility in planning and executing the dissertation process
·  identify a research question, carry out an investigation of the problem, and present findings in a clear and thoughtful way
·  identify and apply appropriate choice of methodology and critical awareness of data collection, methods used, including those for the interpretation of data
·  identify limitations of the study
·  demonstrate a critical awareness of ethical and methodological issues both in planning and execution of the study
·  demonstrate an in depth of knowledge in the appropriate field of study
·  demonstrate an increased independence of view, and demonstrate the ability to analyse critically, make judgements and draw conclusions
·  demonstrate a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights at the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice.
· 
Content / The module content will meet the specific requirements of the course for which the student is registered and will depend on the nature of the students chosen topic and methodology.
A notional 600 hours of independent study.
Content may include: the research process; using electronic databases; scientific writing; critical analysis; qualitative and/or quantitative research; quantitative data analysis statistics/associated computing and/or qualitative analysis techniques; reliability, validity, experimental design, survey and/or questionnaire design; ethics, governance and research.
Learning support / Indicative reading:
Latest editions of the following texts:
Findlay, L. and Ballinger, C. (Eds) Qualitative Research for Allied Health Professionals: Challenging Choices. Chichester: Whurr Publishers Limited
Hart, C. Doing a literature review : releasing the social science research imagination. London : Sage
Hicks, C. Research Methods for Clinical Therapists. Churchill Livingstone
Howitt, D. & and Cramer, D. First Steps in Research and Statistics Routledge
Polgar ,S Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences Churchill Livingstone
Rowntree, Statistics Without Tears: a primer for non-mathematicians. Penguin
Rudessham, K.E. and Newton, R.R. Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. Newbury Park, CA. Sage
Silverman , D Doing Qualitative Research: a practical handbook. Sage
Sapsford, & Abbott. Research Methods for Nurses and the Caring Professions. Open University Press
Somekh, B. and Lewin, C. (Eds) Research Methods in the Social Sciences. London: Sage.
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and learning activities / Module handbook, dissertation day, dissertation supervisor
The pattern of supervision tutorials will be a matter of negotiation between the individuals concerned. Students should contact their supervisor on a monthly basis via telephone, e-mail, or by post. A written record of supervision will be kept by the student and copied to the supervisor following contact. Where students work at a distance from the University, or abroad, this may be the major form of support.
The student’s responsibility is to initiate and maintain contact with the supervisor and work independently with some supervisory guidance. Students are expected to demonstrate initiative and take control of their own research. The student should make every effort to present possible solutions to problems and to share these with the supervisor.
The supervisor’s responsibility is to provide guidance for the student throughout the research process and to give critical and evaluative comment on the progress of the project work and the dissertation. Where appropriate, supervisors will visit students in their chosen project environment.
The supervisor will see up to two drafts of the introduction, method, examples of raw data and examples of the methods of analysis and interpretation, and the results section. It is policy that supervisors will not read drafts of the discussion and conclusion section. These sections demonstrate the ability of the student to interpret and analyse findings and so must be independent work.
·  Students will normally be expected to undertake one of the research methods modules available within the GPHSS as preparation for this dissertation module. The research methods
module may be a taught module or may be studied on-line.
·  Students will normally be required to attend a dissertation day (5 hours) in the School of Health Professions as part of the dissertation process.
·  Students will be required to submit a dissertation proposal for approval to the MSc course leaders group in the School of Health Professions, after which a supervisor will be appointed; joint supervision may be necessary in some cases.
·  The supervisor will normally be a member of the course team who is familiar with the broad area of study selected by the student and who has the appropriate academic and professional expertise. Where necessary, alternative supervisors may be identified within the Faculty.
·  The student will be entitled to 8 hours of supervisory contact time. The supervisor will help students become self critical, and support their growing autonomy as researchers.
·  The dissertation supervisor will facilitate student development, help students become self critical and support their growing autonomy as researchers
·  Where necessary an appropriate a mentor will be appointed in the work based setting in order to provide additional support for the student in that environment.
·  Students will undertake the research by design option where there may be problems obtaining ethics approval for a small scale study or completing within a specific time frame related to their Master’s degree
·  Students undertaking the research by design option will be required to submit a completed ethics proforma (School of Health Professions Postgraduate Ethics Proforma) to the MSc Course Leaders group for approval as part of their research process.
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours / Study hours
SCHEDULED / This is an indication of the number of hours students can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios, fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning. / 13
GUIDED INDEPENDENT STUDY / All students are expected to undertake guided independent study which includes wider reading/ practice, follow-up work, the completion of assessment tasks, and revisions. / 587
PLACEMENT / The placement is a specific type of learning away from the University that is not work-based learning or a year abroad.
TOTAL STUDY HOURS / 600
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for this module / The research product may be:-
·  A qualitative or quantitative study which includes data collection
·  A systematic review
·  A research by design study
submitted as:-
·  A written dissertation of approximately 16000 words (excludes appendices).
·  Or a research paper for publication of approximately 5000 words (using guidelines from an appropriate journal), an extended literature review (5000 words) and a critical review/ reflection of the research process (5000 words).
The word count depends on the type of research undertaken and guidance will be given by the supervisor.
This constitutes 100% of the assessment task and tests learning outcomes 1-9.
Types of assessment task[1]
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for progression. / % weighting
(or indicate if component is pass/fail)
WRITTEN / Written exam
COURSEWORK / Written assignment/ essay, report, dissertation, portfolio, project output, set exercise / 100%
PRACTICAL / Oral assessment and presentation, practical skills assessment, set exercise

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Area examination board / School of Health Sciences Area Examination Board
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name / Position and institution / Date appointed / Date tenure ends
Katie Lagan / University of Ulster / May 2014 / April 2018
Dr Pamela Bagley / University of Bradford / September 2012 / August 2016
Ms Louise Kedroff / Kings College London / September 2009 / August 2014
Mr William Money / Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay, Kent / 2013 / 2017

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Date of first approval
Only complete where this is not the first version
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the first version / July 2005
Date of approval for this version / July 2014
Version number / 4
Modules replaced
Specify codes of modules for which this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module? / Yes / No / X

Module descriptor template: updated Aug 2012

[1] Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.