ECM610-Dissertation

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 60 [30 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Giovanni Razzu
Email: g.razzu@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides students the opportunity to produce a significant, in-depth analysis of a relevant topic in modern economics. Students will be required to demonstrate that they have mastered the various abilities needed to do original research and to communicate their ideas in a standard format required of the economics community.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to apply the concepts and methods covered in the other master’s modules in a coherent and informative fashion as it relates to investigating an economic problem. Students must demonstrate the ability to clearly define a research issue, develop an appropriate research design, properly structure a coherent research proposal, provide thorough and succinct analysis of the relevant theoretical and empirical literature, collect appropriate data if needed, provide a systematic, objective and carefully structured analysis of the information collected, draw relevant conclusions from the analysis and relating these to the existing literature, and demonstrate the originality of their research.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. identify and motivate a research question(s);


2. critically evaluate the relevant literature;


3. apply relevant theoretical frameworks for analysing their research question(s);


4. motivate and apply appropriate research methods to address their chosen research question(s);


5. analyse and synthesise their research findings.

Additional outcomes:

This module will also enable students to develop the following skills: time management and working independently; research skills; academic writing and referencing; presentation skills.

Outline content:

Students will be required to, in consultation with their supervisor, produce an original dissertation that conforms to current economic standards. This will require students to produce an acceptable proposal of their ideas and subsequently to produce written work of sufficient quality to demonstrate their ability to apply their economic knowledge in a new and original manner to an appropriate economic topic or question.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will combine a taught component and independent research, which will be carried out with the support and guidance of a dissertation supervisor. The taught component will involve a series of short workshops which will provide students with the knowledge and tools required to carry out an independent research project. Once they start working on their individual research projects, students will be expected to consult with their dissertation supervisors over the course of the academic year. Students will be required to read a significant amount of journal articles, and to undertake research using the library, online and other sources.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Tutorials	2
Project Supervision	1	5	4
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	3	23	100
Dissertation writing		30	432
Total hours by term	6	58	536
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	20
Dissertation	80

Summative assessment- Examinations:

There is no examination for this module.

In exceptional cases students might be asked to attend an oral examination following the submission of their dissertation.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Assessment is comprised of a dissertation proposal (20%) and the final dissertation (80%). 

Formative assessment methods:

Students will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on drafts of their work from their dissertation supervisor.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Candidates whose results from the taught component of the programme (including second attempts where they have been permitted) are such that they are unable to fulfil the criteria for the award of the degree of Master will not be permitted reassessment in the dissertation.

Candidates who fail the dissertation at the first attempt and whose other results are such that a second attempt at the dissertation might lead to the award of the degree of Master will be permitted to resubmit the dissertation within twelve months from the original submission date, as determined by the Faculty Examiners’ Meeting.

Reassessment is by submission of a revised version of the written dissertation only.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023