LSMDIS: Dissertation

Module code: LSMDIS

Module provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics; School of Humanities

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 2 / Summer

Module convenor: Dr Erhan Aslan, email: erhan.aslan@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: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Building on the content of other relevant modules on the programme particularly the work done for the LSMRDM Research Design Methods, this module enables students to design, conduct and write up an original research study. The module aims to enable students to conduct a piece of original research within a clearly defined context, leading to the production of an M-level research dissertation. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Formulate appropriate research questions and hypotheses in relation to the chosen research topic, problem, and variables; 
2. Synthesise the findings from a wide-ranging literature review relevant to a primary or secondary research study; 
3. Conduct an original empirical investigation in a sub-field of TESOL or applied linguistics using appropriate data sources and data collection procedures; 
4. Analyse the collected data using appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis techniques to assess the significance and implications of the findings; 
5. Critically evaluate the findings in relation to pedagogy, professional needs, and previous research in the relevant sub-field of study; 
6. Produce an organised and well-written dissertation with a clearly stated focus in accordance with appropriate academic conventions.  

Module content

Material covered: The topics to be covered during tutorials and/or supervision meetings depend on the choice of dissertation. Some general discussions may include topics such as research process, research design, data collection tools, data analysis and organising and writing a dissertation. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

After the training received during the Research Design Methods module, students will engage with a significant amount of independent learning involving research site visits, data collection, data analysis, and dissertation writing. Students will be guided in tutorials by a supervisor either face-to-face or online. The independent learning patterns will change as students’ progress from directed activities during supervisions at early stages to more guided and more autonomous activities later. 

Study hours

At least 3 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