Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MN Clinical Research) (NUST11082)

Course Outline
School	School of Health in Social Science	College	College of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course type	Dissertation	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	60	ECTS Credits	30
Summary	The dissertation constitutes the main summative work that builds on and develops from the core courses and research practice attachments. Students, in discussion with an allocated supervisor, select a relevant topic area and research question. Preparation for the dissertation will begin during the earlier research courses and research practice attachments with initial group tutorial preparation. In the research dissertation, the student demonstrates the extent to which they have achieved the key learning outcomes from the programme's theoretical and practice based research courses. It takes the form of an extended research proposal, where the emphasis is primarily on the research proposal and has the following components: * A critical review of the literature (substantive and theoretical, weighted as appropriate) on the chosen research topic. * A statement of the specific questions to be addressed, and how these relate to the review of literature. * The presentation and critical appraisal of the proposed research design. * The presentation and critical discussion of the methods to be employed. * A clear indication of the expected contribution and significance of the study to understanding in the chosen field. * An in depth discussion of practical and ethical issues affecting the conduct of the research. * A presentation of a schedule for the research and the key components of funding and budget considerations.
Course description	Not entered

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites	Students MUST have passed:	Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	In order to progress to the masters dissertation students must: (a) pass at least 80 credits at SCQF level 11 with a mark of at least 50% in each of the courses which make up these credits; and (b) attain an average of at least 50% for the 120 credits of study examined at the point of decision for progression; and (c) satisfy any other specific requirements for the Masters degree programme, that are clearly stated in respective programme handbooks.

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Full Year
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 600 ( Seminar/Tutorial Hours 3, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 585 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	Assessment of this course is a Masters dissertation confined to within 10,000 to 15,000 words. The dissertation is specifically weighted towards the research proposal element. (100%)
Feedback	Not entered
No Exam Information

Learning Outcomes
By the completion of the dissertation, the student will have been enabled to: * Demonstrate critical analysis of relevant literature. * Utilise conceptual, theoretical and methodological material from the programmeżs component courses and research practice attachments. * Define a specific research project, justified in terms of theory and concepts. * Explain the translation of a research question into a feasible design and methodology . * Demonstrate how issues particular to nursing research are managed in all aspects of the proposal. * Demonstrate how the research will add to nursing knowledge, practice and understanding. * Be equipped with the skills appropriate for employment as a research nurse or associate.