REMDISS40-Real Estate and Planning Dissertation

Module Provider: Real Estate and Planning
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Email: r.j.nunes@henley.reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module brings together teaching and learning across the programme, incorporating taught and assessed research methods.? 

Aims:

The Real Estate and Planning Dissertation module provides a vehicle for an in-depth understanding of a chosen area of planning, real estate, and rural land and business management practice.?Depending on the student's interest, this independent study requires students to select a relevant topic or issue in their programme area for further research and analysis. They will also be specifically required to display academic rigour in carrying out an agreed research programme, in presenting findings, and in producing a high quality, fully referenced dissertation that is supported by appropriate statistical, qualitative and/or illustrative data. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to: 

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  provide an introduction, setting out topic, motivation and approach, and guiding the reader as to the content of the substantive chapters to come; 

  
  


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  establish a conceptual/theoretical context and provide a review of the work already done in the particular field; 

  
  


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  present an analys is of the research material including, if appropriate, the relevant quantitative and statistical data; 

  
  


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  put forward a discussion of the findings leading to conclusions and implications for policy and research. 

  
  

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop an understanding of the research process and the main challenges encountered in undertaking an independent study. Skills regarding the application of a theoretical model to practical questions, and the preparation and production of the study will be improved. 

Outline content:

            Autumn (All postgraduate courses)

• Week 13 –Why research – with introduction to dissertation modules 


• Week 14 – Introduction to qualitative methods 


• Week 15 – Introduction to quantitative methods

Spring (Urban Planning and Development; Rural Land / Business Manag ement)

• Week 20 – Literature review, research questions, and case study selection 


• Week 21 – Document and discourse analysis


• Week 22 – Survey design, including empirical sampling 


• Week 23 – Interviews and focus groups


• Week 24 – Academic misconduct, research ethics clearance and data management

S pring (Real Estate Finance; Real Estate)

• Week 20 – Identifying research questions based on a review of the literature and developing research hypotheses


• Week 21 – Data sources, data collection, and descriptive data analysis


• Week 22 – Modelling, interpretation of results, and writing a results section


• Week 23 – Conducting and writing robustness checks


• Week 24 – W riting introduction, motivation, and conclusion

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The contact time for the dissertation consists of one introductory lecture and practical classes on research methods in the Autumn term, and one-to-one supervision over the Spring and Summer terms. Students are: 

• Expected to participate in lectures and practical classes, and to work independently on their research project. 


• Encouraged to apply the skills learned during these sessions to the development of a final dissertatio n. 

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Not applicable.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

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  Individual research proposal (Spring; Pass/Fail) – Week 25 (Rural Land and Business Management; Urban Planning and Development); Week 30 (Real Estate; Real Estate and Finance); 

  
  


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  Dissertation at a word guide of 10,000 words – Submission will be on Monday 31 August 2020.

  
  

Formative assessment methods:

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  Individual research proposal (Spring; Pass/Fail). 

  
  


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  Regular supervisory meetings during the Spring and Summer terms. 

  
  

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:

The pass-mark for this module is 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will be by the same method as for the module’s original assessment requirements, subject to variation by the Examination Board where appropriate.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Printing and binding

Travel, accommodation and subsistence

Last updated: 27 August 2020