Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (MSc Outdoor Education) (REDU11085)
Course Outline
School | Moray House School of Education and Sport |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Course type | Dissertation |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 60 |
ECTS Credits | 30 |
Summary | The Dissertation is a study requiring a high level of individual application and commitment to research and enquiry. It provides the student with the opportunity to identify, reflect on and explore a topic that has implications for their own professional development. The Dissertation will involve a critical interrogation of the relationship between professional practice, academic theory and the design, ethics and interpretation of research. Research training prior to the dissertation is included in the programme structure and helps to assist students in developing their dissertation ideas and focus. Work on the dissertation is undertaken with guidance and support from the designated supervisor. |
Course description |
There are a number of possible types of dissertation that may be considered appropriate (e.g. empirical research, desk-based research, research proposal). Students in discussion with their supervisors and with the Programme Director decide the focus and design of the study. Whether empirical or not, the dissertation needs to demonstrate an understanding of research design, data collection and analysis, presentation and research ethics.
Before writing the dissertation and/or collecting any data, students submit a poster and draft dissertation proposal and they must obtain ethical approval for their project. If the proposal is satisfactory, a student may begin work on the dissertation. Students will receive support and guidance while developing their proposals (course organiser/programme director) and while carrying out the project (supervisor).
In addition students will be able to access school level support in the form of evening lectures and a week of sessions covering different aspects of research design, data collection and data analysis.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | None |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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Academic year 2023/24, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 5 |
Course Start |
Full Year |
Course Start Date |
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Timetable |
Timetable |
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
588 )
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Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% Coursework
Dissertation of 12,000 - 15,000 words
A written research proposal of between 1000 and 2000 words must also be submitted to pass this course.
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Feedback |
Students will receive significant feedforward guidance on various aspects of their dissertation from their supervisor including detailed individualised comments on one draft chapter.
Students will present a poster outlining their proposals for formative feedback at a 'conference' to which all academic staff and doctoral students are invited.
Students will receive feedback/ forward on their written proposals from their dissertation supervisor.
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No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate that the study complies with relevant ethical guidelines;
- Identify and reflect critically on relevant up-to-date literature, research, reports, policy and other scholarly evidence with specific reference to the research process used;
- Collect and analyse evidence, justifying the approaches and techniques used, and identify the implications of these decisions in terms of the status of the evidence, and the findings based upon it as well as demonstrate that the study complies with relevant ethical guidelines;
- Examine critically the contribution and limitations of the study undertaken and consider what implications the findings have for future education research, policy, theory and/or practice;
- Present work, observing appropriate academic conventions in relation to style, tone, structure, paragraphing, paraphrasing, sectioning of the text, proof-reading and referencing.
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Study Abroad |
n/a |
Additional Class Delivery Information |
There are no classes. Delivery is in the form of individual meetings and seminars with the designated supervisor. |
Keywords | dissertation,research,outdoor education |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Heidi Smith
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Malgorzata Litwinska
Tel: (0131 6)51 6363
Email: |
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