Dissertation MSc by Research (South Asian Studies) 100 credit (P02370)

? Credit Points : 100 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : SPS-P-P02370

The dissertation is an extended piece of independent scholarship. It is the main work in which students demonstrate achievement of crucial learning outcomes for the MSc by Research, drawing upon relevant material covered in the taught element of the degree and through supervision. The dissertation can be up to 23,000 words in length (exclusive of notes, references and appendices).

The nature of a dissertation for the MSc by Research may vary. For students proceeding to a PhD or MPhil, the dissertation will normally take the form of a full research proposal. In this case, it will contain an extended review of the literature, establishing the research questions, plus an extended discussion of the likely research design and any methodological issues. Alternatively, the dissertation may comprise a discrete piece of (usually empirical) research, possibly a pilot study for the eventual doctoral research. The dissertation should normally include an opening section discussing the existing literature in the field and should incorporate research questions, research design and methodology (as appropriate), data/primary source material collection and analysis elements, and conclusions. The dissertation will be expected will be expected to demonstrate a clear focus on a specific topic, a clear and effective prose style, and to follow consistent and appropriate scholarly conventions in matters of referencing.

In this 100 credit dissertation, the dissertation will normally include a more comprehensive review of relevant literature and/or some pilot research as well as the full proposal. In addition, some of the elements required for 60 credits will normally be more developed: eg, a more extensive bibliography relevant to the research topic; a more advanced critical engagement with relevant concepts or theory, or (where appropriate) a more detailed treatment of ethical and methodological issues.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate (School of Social and Political Science), (School of Social and Political Science, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : To be arranged/Unknown

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) per week for 40 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should:
- demonstrate the ability to carry out a sustained piece of independent scholarly research, involving project and time management
- demonstrate the ability to frame a coherent set of research questions, to justify these in relation to existing knowledge and theories, and to demonstrate that answering them would constitute an advance on existing knowledge
- achieve a command of existing knowledge in their field of research, through a critical review of relevant literature, engaging with central debates and demonstrating an awareness of interdisciplinary perspectives
- demonstrate the ability to produce a research design that is capable of answering the chosen research questions
- demonstrate an understanding of research methods, appropriate to the research topic and questions, taking due account of any practical, political and ethical issues affecting the conduct of the research
- where relevant, demonstrate the ability to implement the chosen research design and methods of data collection and analysis
- where relevant, to provide credible conclusions which either stand on their own or address the implications of a pilot study for a fuller project of research
- where relevant, demonstrate the ability to integrate theoretical and empirical elements
- produce written scholarship in line with research and bibliographic conventions