ECM702-Dissertation

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 100 [50 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: Dr Stefania Lovo
Email: s.lovo@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Dr Tho Pham
Email: t.pham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

A dissertation is an independent piece of research work in the MSc by Research programme in the Department of Economics. It is considered to be the most important element in this programme as it demonstrates the knowledge and skills acquired both in terms of the subject area and academic research rigour. It is normally conducted by an individual student guided by two academic supervisors who themselves are working in or close to the chosen specialised domain. It gives students the opportunity to undertake a substantial theoretical and/or empirical research project which draws from the prior knowledge and skills acquired from past experience or during the taught part of the MSc by Research programme. The dissertation enables students to practise writing an academic paper, allows students to develop problem-solving skills, and enables students to manage research activities and critically assess the outcomes from a project.

Aims:

The aim of the module is to enable students to conduct research and apply their knowledge to theoretical and/or empirical problems through an independent project. Students should show a detailed understanding of a particular subject field and related research methods applicable within the analysed context.

Assessable learning outcomes:

At the end of the module the student will be able to:

• Develop an understanding of the research topic subject matter


• Develop and acquire new skills in conducting research


• Plan and manage a systematic approach to a research project


• Carry out a literature review


• Critically approach a research problem


• Develop the process to find a solution to a given research problem


• Evaluate the solution and provide a critical appraisal


• Derive logical conclusions


• Produce a dissertation


• Present their work in the form of an oral presentation

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

The content of the dissertation will be usually illustrated by a theoretical and/or empirical component, which may be a model, conceptual framework, solution, empirical understanding, or any other deliverables. The research work must be conducted in an ethical and professional manner. The text of the dissertation would normally range between 10,000 and 15,000 words and it would usually be supported by ancillary material, such as replication codes and datasets for applied work. The field of enquiry will be selected by the student in consultation with and approved by the supervisors.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The dissertation project is normally conducted by an individual student guided by their supervisors. The student will have regular meetings with the supervisors and contact with other members of staff with expertise in the chosen research field. The remaining time will be devoted to individual research and study. The weighting between the written dissertation and the practical component will be agreed between the supervisor and the student, but the weighting will not normally exceed 30% for t he practical component.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	5	5	10
Guided independent study:
Dissertation writing	145	345	490
Total hours by term	150	350	500
Total hours for module	1000

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will submit a 10,000-15,000 word dissertation which may be supported by ancillary material. This will be marked by two assessors from among the Department’s academic staff, excluding the supervisors.

Students will be interviewed about their work by the assessors after submission and before grading – this will also be a forum for feedback.

Formative assessment methods:

Students can ask to give oral presentations of their work to other research students and academic staff in the Department of Economics, to get feedback. Supervisors will also provide substantial formative assessment and feedback throughout the course of the dissertation.

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:

Re-assessment will be the re-submission of the dissertation.  

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