ADMDIS: Dissertation

Module code: ADMDIS

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Dr Sarah Cardey, email: s.p.cardey@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to explore a topic of their own (guided) choice in depth, and to apply appropriate research and analytical skills to produce a written report of the project. The module will enhance the student’s ability to use the knowledge, understanding and skills developed previously across his or her programme, integrating these in the context of the chosen topic. Students will conduct this independent research with the support of an academic supervisor.  

Taught components of this module will help students to identify the standards expected and develop the skills required to study and conduct research at postgraduate level. Through lectures and tutorials, students will learn how to demonstrate good academic practice in referencing source material; how to review academic literature; how to synthesise information and develop an argument; how to communicate information with clarity; how to select appropriate research methods and resources; and how to write academically in the context of coursework and dissertation research. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate the acquisition of detailed knowledge and understanding on a specialist subject, including presenting a succinct synthesis and review of theoretical and empirical literature relating to their chosen topic through a substantial, clearly presented and well-structured written report to defined standards of presentation including comprehensive and accurate referencing 
2. Demonstrate the ability to clearly present a systematically and structured analysis of data collected for their research project 
3. Apply cognitive skills, including analysis and argument, to draw relevant and defensible conclusions and show how these are related to the existing literature 
4. Demonstrate good academic practice in use, citation and referencing of source material, and explain the meaning of "plagiarism" both as poor academic practice and as a disciplinary issue within higher education, and implement strategies to avoid it.

Module content

The student will select, with appropriate guidance from academic staff, a topic of interest to them and of academic and/or professional relevance to their degree programme and submit a completed dissertation proposal form by the end of week 12 (i.e. the seventh week of the Autumn Term). The module convenor, in consultation with line managers (i.e. Heads of Department and/or Heads of Division) and the School Director of Teaching and Learning, will allocate each student to a member of academic staff as supervisor. The appointed supervisor will provide academic guidance and support to the student during the Spring Term and Summer Term. The student will submit the completed dissertation by the date in early September specified in their Programme Handbook. During the Autumn and Spring Term, students will attend taught sessions related to research and academic practice. 

Taught components of this module will include: 

• Overview of academic support services at the University of Reading 
• Searching, referencing, using literature  
• Strategies to avoid plagiarism 
• Approaches to writing a dissertation 
• Presenting research to others 
• Oral presentations by students to staff and peers 
• Academic writing skills 
• Research ethics for dissertation students 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is delivered via lectures, group discussions, workshop activities, and independent study. Online materials, including e-learning and screencasts, will be used to support in-class learning activities. The majority of this module is done through independent research, including individual and (where appropriate) group meetings between student(s) and supervisor, submission of and feedback on draft written material, and email contact between supervisor and student. The number and conduct of supervision meetings will be determined by the supervisor and student, so contact hours for this component of the module listed below are indicative only. 

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs