| CODE | ACA3006 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 16 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Students are to produce a researched dissertation of 12,000 words discussing some aspect/s related to the fields of adult education and/or training and/or professional development. The topic is chosen by the student in conjunction with an approved supervisor. The topic and supervisor are approved by the Department of Arts, Open Communities and Adult Education. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to provide: 1. A practical exercise in developing research and writing skills, whilst contributing original findings/perspectives to the area being researched; 2. Examination of the nexus between theory and practice in the fields of adult education, training and development; and 3. Critical appraisal and application of a variety of research methodologies. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Review concepts, theories and schools of thought that are relevant to the specific topic; 2. Explain the research methodology applied to the particular research problem; and 3. Discuss various strengths and limitations associated with the employed methodology. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Formulate relevant and succinct research questions or research problem; 2. Plan a feasible, valid and reliable research design; 2. Employ relevant research tools to gather and analyze data; and 3. Write a researched dissertation that makes a contribution to the study of adult education and/or training and/or development that is commensurate to the level of the programme of studies. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Comstock, G. (2013). Research Ethics: A Philosophical Guide to the Responsible Conduct of Research. New York: Cambridge University Press. - Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage. - Watson, G. (1987). Writing a thesis : A guide to long essays and dissertations. Longman. - Other texts will vary according to the topic chosen. Supplementary Readings: - Arthur, J., Waring, M., Coe, R. & Hedges, L.V. (Eds.) (2017). Research methods & methodologies in education. London: Sage. - Fielding, N. G., Lee, R. M., & Blank, G. (Eds.). (2008). The SAGE handbook of online research methods. Sage. - Schutt, R. K. (2012). Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research. Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. - Sloan, L., Quan-Haase A., (2017). The SAGE Handbook of Social Media Research Methods. Sage. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Dissertation | ||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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