This module (60 credits) provides students with an opportunity to undertake a focused investigation leading to the production of an 8-10,000 word dissertation/project based around issues relating to their work-based practice and professional roles or the organisations in which they work.
In the preparation phase students will be able to engage with a flexibly designed programme of weekend (Saturday) study skills workshops which will address the following areas:
Indicative content
• Getting started: Choosing a suitable topics/theme to research.
• Research methodologies
• Research tools (e.g. questionnaires, online surveys, buzz groups, interviews, participant observation).
• Project management (project design, monitoring, resources etc).
• Using statistical data in coursework: do’s and don’ts.
• Delivering effective oral presentations.
• Using Microsoft PowerPoint as a tool to present your research project.
• Developing your writing style and use of written English
• Learning from the experience of others: Q & A session with past BAPS students.
• Critical thinking & critical evaluation of sources, data and practice
• Introduction to Library resources at UEA
• ‘Critiquing’ examples of dissertations produced by alumni.
• The editing and writing-up process
Students will be supported in their research both by their supervisor and by the Course Director. The appointed research supervisor will be allocated time to conduct individual tutorials with each of their supervisees. These tutorials will give students an opportunity to seek guidance on their projects, whilst also giving supervisors an opportunity to provide guidance and feedback on structure, approach, presentation, sources, initial drafts, time-management issues, workplace issues etc.
Students will submit their completed dissertations by mid-August (1 Year, full-time programme) or the end of May (in the case of the 2 Year part-time programme).
Method of Assessment
ASSIGNMENT 1 - Initial research proposal (1000 words) Weighting: 4%
A literature review (1,500 words) Weighting: 10%
ASSIGNMENT 2 - A critical review/comparison of two published sources (1,500 words) Weighting: 10%
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Formative oral presentation (10 minutes) (Feb 2011) Weighting: 0%
ASSIGNMENT 4 - Formally assessed oral presentation (June 2011)
(15 minutes followed by Q&As) Weighting: 10%
ASSIGNMENT 5 Dissertation/project Weighting: 66%
The Dissertation/Project should be between 8-10,000 words.
Dissertation Workshop 1 - Saturday 5.10.2013
Dissertation Workshop 2 - Saturday 12.10.2013
Dissertation Workshop 3 - Saturday 2.11.2013
Dissertation Workshop 4 - Saturday 16.11.2013
Dissertation Workshop 5 - Saturday 30.11.2013
Dissertation Workshop 6 - Saturday 14.12.2013
Dissertation Workshop 7 - Saturday 1.2.2014
Dissertation Workshop 8 - Saturday 15.2.2014
Dissertation Workshop 9 - Saturday 1.3.2014
Indicative content
• Getting started: Choosing a suitable topics/theme to research.
• Research methodologies
• Research tools (e.g. questionnaires, online surveys, buzz groups, interviews, participant observation).
• Project management (project design, monitoring, resources etc).
• Using statistical data in coursework: do’s and don’ts.
• Delivering effective oral presentations.
• Using Microsoft PowerPoint as a tool to present your research project.
• Developing your writing style and use of written English
• Learning from the experience of others: Q & A session with past BAPS students.
• Critical thinking & critical evaluation of sources, data and practice
• Introduction to Library resources at UEA
• ‘Critiquing’ examples of dissertations produced by alumni.
• The editing and writing-up process
Students will be supported in their research both by their supervisor and by the Course Director. The appointed research supervisor will be allocated time to conduct individual tutorials with each of their supervisees. These tutorials will give students an opportunity to seek guidance on their projects, whilst also giving supervisors an opportunity to provide guidance and feedback on structure, approach, presentation, sources, initial drafts, time-management issues, workplace issues etc.
Students will submit their completed dissertations by mid-August (1 Year, full-time programme) or the end of May (in the case of the 2 Year part-time programme).
Method of Assessment
ASSIGNMENT 1 - Initial research proposal (1000 words) Weighting: 4%
A literature review (1,500 words) Weighting: 10%
ASSIGNMENT 2 - A critical review/comparison of two published sources (1,500 words) Weighting: 10%
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Formative oral presentation (10 minutes) (Feb 2011) Weighting: 0%
ASSIGNMENT 4 - Formally assessed oral presentation (June 2011)
(15 minutes followed by Q&As) Weighting: 10%
ASSIGNMENT 5 Dissertation/project Weighting: 66%
The Dissertation/Project should be between 8-10,000 words.
Dissertation Workshop 1 - Saturday 5.10.2013
Dissertation Workshop 2 - Saturday 12.10.2013
Dissertation Workshop 3 - Saturday 2.11.2013
Dissertation Workshop 4 - Saturday 16.11.2013
Dissertation Workshop 5 - Saturday 30.11.2013
Dissertation Workshop 6 - Saturday 14.12.2013
Dissertation Workshop 7 - Saturday 1.2.2014
Dissertation Workshop 8 - Saturday 15.2.2014
Dissertation Workshop 9 - Saturday 1.3.2014
