EDM097-English Language Education Dissertation

Module Provider: Institute of Education
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: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Kari Sahan
Email: k.e.sahan@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to develop students’ ability to carry out a small-scale investigation under the supervision of a tutor. Students will work independently, demonstrating their ability to identify an appropriate research topic and methods to investigate it. They will practise finding up-to-date literature on the subject using the library, including online journals and e-books as appropriate for their chosen topic. The dissertation will be expected to follow a given structure, and include an introduction, literature review, methods, results and discussion and conclusion section. Students will be expected to consider the ethical implications of their study and apply to the ethics committee if necessary.

Aims:

• To research and write up a 15,000-word dissertation on a subject related to English language education that meets the assessment criteria


• To develop an in-depth understanding of the chosen area


• To develop an argument from a considered and well-informed point of view on the topic


• To develop and make use of your academic skills in identifying and defining a research topic, applying appropriate research techniques and, where relevant, offering practical conclusions


• To display academic rigour in carrying out the agreed programme and in presenting your findings


• To produce a high quality, fully referenced dissertation supported by appropriate evidence

Assessable learning outcomes:

On successful completion of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Provide an introduction setting out the topic and the approach and guiding the reader as to the content of the substantive chapters to come


• Establish a conceptual/theoretical context and provide a thorough review of the work already done in the particular field


• Set out a presentation and analysis of the material including, if appropriate, the relevant qualitative and quantitative data


• Put forward an appropriate generalisation of the findings leading to conclusions and implications for policy and/or practice and research


• Define a research topic, conduct independent research, and present findings in an extended piece of written work


• Conduct a rigorous, well-justified research study using appropriate methods to investigate their chosen topic


• Select and apply appropriate tools for analysing data


• Appraise and evaluate research data against research questions


• Engage critically with a wide body of literature and concepts


• Exercise informed and independent critical judgment through structured and reasoned argument

Additional outcomes:

Students will have developed analytical skills and written communication skills.

Students will demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively and fluently in writing, work independently, and plan and deliver on time an individual project.

Outline content:

Introductory session focussing on identifying a research topic and developing the dissertation proposal. Much of the content will be independent work.  

The specialist subject skills knowledge and understanding will very much be directed by the subject of the dissertation.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The contact time for the dissertation consists of an introductory lecture and individual supervision. EDM102 compliments and supports students' work on their dissertation, for example, providing training in research methods.

Contact for dissertation supervision is not to exceed 10 hours. Guidelines for this contact will be elucidated in the Programme Handbook.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		3
Project Supervision		5	5
Guided independent study:		292	295
Total hours by term	0
Total hours for module	600

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:
n/a

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One 15,000 word dissertation (excluding footnotes, bibliography and appendices). The topic and title is to be negotiated with the module convenor.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will show drafts of some chapters to the supervisor who will provide written and verbal feedback on these.

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:
Students must achieve 50%

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission within 12 calendar months from the original submission date as determined by the Faculty Examiners’ Meeting

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: There are no required text books for this module. However, two useful books listed are:

• Bell, J. (2010). Doing your research project (5th ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press ISBN: 978-0335215041


• Cohen, L., Manion, L., &Morrison, K. (2017). Research methods in Education (8th ed.). Abingdon: Routledge ISBN: 978-0415583367.

These texts are available via Ebook Central with your UoR username and password

Many items on the reading list are journal articles or e-books that are freely available via the University Library databases.

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: 30 March 2023