LSMDIS-Dissertation

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring / Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: m.daller@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Drawing on the content of other relevant modules on the programme and the work done for the Research Design module, this module enables students to design, conduct and write up an original research study.

Aims:
The aim of this module is to enable students to conduct a piece of original research within a clearly defined context, leading to the production of an M-level research dissertation.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this course students should be able to:

- appropriately frame research questions and hypotheses in relation to research questions, and identify the functions of variables within a research study;
- conduct a wide-ranging literature search relevant to a primary or secondary research study; summarise and evaluate the findings from that search;
- select an appropriate source of data and appropriate data-gathering procedures for an empirical investigation in an applied linguistic field;
- summarise appropriately the results of a primary or secondary research study; and, where appropriate, select suitable statistical tools for assessing the significance of results of a research study;
- critically evaluate the results of a primary or secondary research study and indicate relevance to the field of applied linguistics and to pedagogy;
- produce an organised and clear written research proposal and produce a dissertation which:
a) d escribes a research study which is well-grounded in professional needs and previous research; has a clearly focused purpose; has been carefully designed and conducted; is clearly and concisely reported; is thoughtfully discussed and evaluated, and
b) is well-written and well-presented, in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.

Additional outcomes:
Students should have developed the skills needed to conduct an extended piece of research, including time-management, and oral and written communication skills.

Outline content:
The topics to be covered during tutorials and/or supervision meetings depend on the choice of dissertation. Some general discussions may include topics such as research process, research design, data collection tools, data analysis and organising and writing a dissertation.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
After the training received during the Research Design module, for the purpose of Dissertations each student will be guided in tutorials by a supervisor and will conduct a study which informs the dissertation.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:
Dissertation of 15,000 words

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
A grade of at least 50% in the dissertation.

Reassessment arrangements:
Following a failure in (or a failure to submit) the dissertation, the candidate has one year in which to re-submit (or submit) the dissertation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 4 April 2020