Postgraduate Course: Dissertation (Language Education) (REDU11087)
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 (approximately 12,000 words) is the outcome of a guided process of research - planning, implementation and writing up - largely carried out in the last three months of the programme. In it, candidates are encouraged to explore links between theory, their own research findings, and the practical realities of their own teaching context. Examples of possible dissertation topics are:
- evaluation of teaching materials on paper and/or in observed use
- pedagogical description of a specific language area for a specific learner group
- case studies of classes or learners
- needs analysis for teaching a language for specific purposes
- test evaluation and design.
Students receive individual guidance in preparing and implementing their research plans. |
| 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 MSc Dissertation Director should decide the focus and design of the study. Whether empirical or not, the dissertation should demonstrate an understanding of research design, data collection and analysis, presentation and research ethics.
Before writing the dissertation and/or collecting any data, students must submit a detailed 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 from their supervisor while developing their proposals and while carrying out the project.
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. MSc Language Teaching students will also receive (jointly with MSc TESOL students) research support specific to the field of Language Education.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 0 |
| Course Start |
Full Year |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
600
(
Lecture Hours 5,
Dissertation/Project Supervision Hours 14,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 12,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
569 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
100% coursework
The work should be of approximately 12,000 words. Thereafter, assessment is carried out in terms of:
- knowledge and understanding of concepts;
- knowledge and use of the literature;
- critical reflection of theory and practice;
- application of theory to practice;
- planning and implementation of research/investigation;
- constructing academic discourse;
The work is assessed integratively with approximate equal weighting to the six components above. |
| 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. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- use appropriate skills in library and electronic research;
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding, at a basic level, of a range of research paradigms and research instruments
- apply the above knowledge and understanding in the evaluation of published research and in the design and implementation of their own research, paying due attention to the fit between context, purpose, paradigm and instrument
- ability to produce academic writing of an acceptable standard
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Research skills
Constructing academic discourse
Critical reflection |
| Keywords | dissertation,research,language teaching |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Ania Byerly
Tel: (0131 6)51 4032
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr George Adams
Tel:
Email: |
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