2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5600M Dissertation and Research Methods

60 creditsClass Size: 250

Module manager: Dr Lee Edwards
Email: l.m.s.edwards@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is mutually exclusive with

COMM5800M

Final Independent Project

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides students with the academic competencies necessary to study successfully at postgraduate level and particularly for producing a good dissertation. The dissertation itself counts for 60 credits and forms one third of the programme of study; therefore, a good dissertation is vital for obtaining a good Master’s degree. The module runs over two semesters and is complemented by meetings with a personal supervisor. The first semester is taught by lectures covering general issues and theory of research design, and gives an introduction into the common research methods in media and communications studies. The second semester provides in-depth training in specific qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Objectives

This module provides students with the theoretical and methodological knowledge that enables them to carry out an independent piece of research in the field of Communication and Media Studies. The main objective of this module is the preparation of the dissertation. The module introduces the dissertation process, the key underlying principles of research projects and major methodological approaches that guide research in the field of Media and Communication, in order to help students develop a coherent research design for their own dissertation. In addition, it makes students familiar with basic research techniques the understanding and application of which are not only essential for an academic career, but also for professional careers in communications-related fields.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- understand the dissertation process
- comprehend the basic philosophical and theoretical issues in communication and media research;
- understand the main research methods in communication and media studies, the social sciences and humanities;
- critically evaluate competing approaches to empirical enquiry, in particular the strengths and weaknesses of theoretical dissertations, quantitative and qualitative research methods;
- be able to recognise the pros and cons of employing particular approaches and methods for a specific research project;
- develop a coherent research design including the formulation of hypotheses, choosing adequate research instruments and collecting and interpreting empirical evidence.

Syllabus

Lectures:
Part One – Background: What is a Dissertation?:
1. Introduction
2. Question development
3. How to develop an argument and writing a literature review
Part Two – The Science of Research:
4. Ontology and epistemology
5. Methodological approaches – an overview
6. Ethics
Part Three – Methods:
7. Textual – rhetorical and semiotic analysis
8. Textual – discourse analysis and ideological critique
9. Textual – historical research and using archives
10. Social– interviewing and focus groups
11. Social – ethnography and participant observation
12. Social – surveys
13. Online data
Seminars:
Run parallel to the lectures in weeks 1-3 specifically for students who have completed a dissertation previously. These seminars replace the introductory lectures for experienced students. They are designed to be interactive sessions allowing students to discuss their past experience of a dissertation, what their current research interests are, and how they want to develop their skills as a researcher and build upon their previous experience.
Workshops:
Compulsory research proposal workshop run in early February in advance of the 2500-3000 word research proposal deadline at the end of February. This workshop will focus on how to develop and construct a research proposal.
7 optional methods workshops run in semester 2, following the lecture-taught part of the module. Each workshop focuses on the methods taught in lectures 7-13, and are designed to help students apply and put the methods into practice.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	1	1.50	1.50
Workshop	7	1.50	10.50
Supervision Meetings	8	0.50	4.00
Lecture	13	1.50	19.50
Seminar	3	1.50	4.50
Private study hours			560.00
Total Contact hours			40.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Private study

13 x 5 hours preparation for classes: 65 hours;
Preparation of dissertation proposal: 25 hours;
Field work and preparation of the dissertation: 470 hours.

Total hours of private study and independent learning: 560

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In semester 1 each student is allocated a supervisor from within their programme of study, and it is expected that students will have 8 meetings of half an hour in length with their supervisor between December and July. The students are advised to meet with their supervisors at least once a month. The role of the supervisor is to provide advice and guidance on the research process and to suggest appropriate readings and methods. Through the discussions in these meetings and the feedback provided on drafts of written work, the supervisor can monitor student progress during the module. The supervisor is also responsible for marking the 2,500-3,000 word research proposal, submitted at the end of February. This assessment will allow for formal progress monitoring before the fieldwork/data collection begins.
In order to ensure the most productive progress, students are advised to follow these deadlines with their supervisors:
- 2,500-3,000 word assessed research proposal must submitted at the end of February (marked by supervisor).
- Final drafts of literature review and methodology should be submitted to supervisor by the Easter break.
- Final drafts of any additional chapters should be submitted to supervisor by July.
- Final revisions carried out in July/August, following feedback from supervisor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	1 x 12,000-15,000 word dissertation to be submitted at the end of the academic year	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/05/2016

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