Dissertation

DIGI30000 Dissertation 40 Full year Undergraduate Level 3 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 20.0 This course will provide students with support for their dissertations – a key part of the BA Digital Media, Culture and Society programme. Students will be expected to conduct original research on a topic of their choice for the dissertation (subject to approval), drawing on knowledge gained through the programme. Students will then be expected to write a 10,000-word dissertation. This course will provide students with support for the dissertation process, from conception to completion. The course consists of lectures introducing students to the dissertation, as well as corresponding seminars on research topic selection, research design, writing, and ethics/plagiarism. Students will be expected to write their dissertations independently, with scheduled supervisory meetings (group, individual) to discuss their progress with a nominated dissertation tutor. They will be offered feedback on the dissertation drafts (topic, plan, chapter), and will submit their dissertations in semester 2 of their final year. This course will provide students with support for their dissertations – a key part of the BA Digital Media, Culture and Society programme. Students will be expected to conduct original research on a topic of their choice for the dissertation (subject to approval), drawing on knowledge gained through the programme. Students will then be expected to write a 10,000-word dissertation. This course will provide students with support for the dissertation process, from conception to completion. The course consists of lectures introducing students to the dissertation, as well as corresponding seminars on research topic selection, research design, writing, and ethics/plagiarism. Students will be expected to write their dissertations independently, with scheduled supervisory meetings (group, individual) to discuss their progress with a nominated dissertation tutor. They will be offered feedback on the dissertation drafts (topic, plan, chapter), and will submit their dissertations in semester 2 of their final year. The unit aims to:<ul><li>provide students with support for writing a substantial, original piece of academic work</li><li>equip students with the ability to conduct primary research on a relevant topic</li><li>provide students with knowledge and support for successfully planning and managing a dissertation project</li></ul> <ul><li>Devise an original dissertation research project</li><li>Design, structure, and write a dissertation project</li><li>Execute a research plan and methodology to study a chosen topic</li></ul> <ul><li>Apply theoretical concepts to an original research topic</li><li>Critically evaluate relevant secondary academic literature</li><li>Critically employ specific research methods and methodologies</li></ul> <ul><li>Use specific relevant research methods, tools, or software to study a relevant digital media research topic</li><li>Use library and online resources to find secondary literature to support planning and writing of a dissertation</li><li>Explain and justify the rationale for an independent research project to different academic audiences and peers</li></ul>   <ul><li>Consider and evaluate practical and ethical aspects of conducting a substantial independent research project</li><li>Plan, prioritize, and execute a substantial independent research project</li><li>Confidently manage time and practical tasks on a research project</li></ul> The course unit will provide students with practical, conceptual, and methodological support for conducting a dissertation research project. The dissertation component of the programme will be introduced in corresponding lectures, detailing the formal requirements and expectations for devising and completing a dissertation project. Subsequent lectures and accompanying seminars will provide students with a further information on how to choose a research topic, how to design a dissertation research project, how to structure and carry out a dissertation, and the importance of research ethics/ethical approval. Students will be provided with a dissertation tutor with whom they will supervision meetings with (group, individual) designed to offer further structured support for the conception, management, and competition of their dissertation projects. Students will be expected to undertake independent study for their dissertation project during semester two, and will be offered feedback on written material over this period.   The course unit consists of 1-hour lectures (x4) and 1-hour seminars (x4), delivered synchronously and in-person with accompanying online material. In addition, students will have 1-hour supervisory meetings in a group setting (x2), and 30-minute supervisory meetings individually (x3).Lectures will introduce students to the dissertation research project, providing the rationale and structure of the dissertation. Lectures will be used to break down each part of the dissertation process, from choosing a research topic and writing research questions, to selecting appropriate research methods, completing the ethical review process, and conducting the research itself. Lectures will also be used to explain how to plan, structure, and write the dissertation, explaining the benefits of good time-management and organization.Seminars will be used to explore the key aspects of doing a dissertation in more detail, offering students the opportunity, for example, to discuss possible research themes and questions, debate ethical issues, and discuss the importance of originality.Supervisory meetings will provide students with opportunities to formally present their chosen dissertation topics, research plans, and draft dissertation chapters. Group meetings will allow students to draw on peer support and peer feedback, providing a space to discuss practical concerns. Individual meetings will provide students with an opportunity to ask specific project-related questions and receive written feedback from assigned dissertation tutors with relevant knowledge of their chosen dissertation topics.  0 Other 100% <figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Assessment task</td><td>Weighting within unit (if relevant)</td></tr><tr><td>Dissertation plan</td><td>0%</td></tr><tr><td>Dissertation draft chapter</td><td>0%</td></tr><tr><td>Dissertation</td><td>100%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> Written feedback plus oral feedback on the dissertation chapter. N Association of Internet Researchers (2020) Internet Research: Ethical Guidelines 3.0.   Clark, T., Foster, L. and Bryman, A. (2019) How to do your Social Research Project or Dissertation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.  Hart, C. (2004) Doing Your Masters Dissertation. London: Sage. Ruddock, A. (2017) Exploring Media Research: Theories, Practice, and Purpose. London: Sage. Seale, C. (2017) (4th ed.) Researching Society and Culture. London: Sage.  Stokes, J. (2021) (3rd ed.) How to Do Media and Cultural Studies. London: Sage.  Lectures 4 Project supervision 1.5 Seminars 4 Tutorials 2 0 389.5