SO7002 - Social Sciences Postgraduate Dissertation

The dissertation is an independent piece of research that you will conduct in close consultation with your supervisor and, if you choose to do a placement-based dissertation, in cooperation with the placement organisation. The dissertation will have a series of taught workshops focussing on dissertation skills. Where you do a placement-based dissertation, you will also work with your organisation on the data collection process.

The dissertation workshops will discuss dissertation-relevant topics such as research questions and working with theory. In addition, your supervisor will provide guidance throughout the process of dissertation writing. It is the role of the supervisor to provide formative feedback on your progress for non-assessed work, which is designed to ‘feed-forward’ and help you to monitor your progress and to reflect on areas or skills necessary for continuous academic development. The supervisor can also direct you to specialist technical support (in particular Skills Plus).

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate the ability to formulate, plan, execute and write up a substantial, individual piece of research of 15,000 words in total
2. Demonstrate skilled ability in the consideration and application of relevant theories, methodology and ethical issues in relation to a piece of research
3. Produce robust, independent, coherent and substantial, advanced academic arguments in relation to specific issues and questions in criminology and criminal justice or international development or public administration
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. Demonstrate advanced transferable skills in time management, project management, resource management, critical thought, independent working, flexible working, dissemination and communication
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Demonstrate an ability to engage in critical thinking and reflection about the research process and specific ethical and cultural issues in criminology and criminal justice or international development or public administration

Assessment is by 100% dissertation. Progress will be monitored in regular meetings with the dissertation supervisor, and the student is entitled to submit to the supervisor for comments two draft chapters, for which the supervisor will provide formative feedback (MLO 1-5)

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The dissertation module is your chance to display your knowledge and skills to research a substantive piece of work of your choice. You can do this as a literature-based, empirical, or placement-based dissertation. You will write the dissertation independently, guided by your supervisor, and – where you have chosen a placement-based dissertation – in cooperation with your placement organisation.

The module will therefore enable you to showcase your skills in a topic that you have chosen. It is therefore also is crucial in developing your employability skills, including data collection and analysis, concise writing, carrying out a substantive piece of research and effectively communicating the findings of your research.