Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

SP50153 Death and society dissertation planning

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 2

Assessment: DS75OR25

Requisites:

Aims:
* To develop a comprehensive and critical understanding of the basic principles of research strategy.
* To reflect critically on the appropriateness, strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches to research.
* To support students in identifying their own original research questions.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
* Have a comprehensive understanding of the methods of preparing, organising and writing up a dissertation for a Masters programme.
* Be able to reflect critically on the suitability of diverse approaches for investigating and analysing problems.
* Have demonstrated the ability to write a research proposal.
Skills:
* Develop the skills needed for advanced academic study and enquiry
* Evaluate research and evidence critically to appropriate postgraduate standards using a variety of academic and non-academic sources
* Synthesise information from a variety of academic perspectives and non-academic sources for a relevant understanding of theoretical and practical approaches
* Develop skills to reflect critically on the suitability of diverse approaches for investigating and analysing problems.
* Plan, execute and evaluate the investigation and presentation of study and research projects
* Reflect critically on the appropriateness, strengths and weaknesses of social science theories, perspectives and policy making
* Advise others and work effectively in teams
* Evaluate critically intellectual and professional performance of self and others
* Develop ability to formulate a research question and to communicate this effectively through written and oral media.
Content:
This course will prepare the groundwork for students' dissertations. Through a series of lectures and discussions students will learn how to review relevant literature, formulate research questions and outline a programme and method of investigation for a selected topic.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07