| CODE | DBS5007 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 30 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Disability Studies | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Students shall be required to submit an individual dissertation of approximately 25,000 words in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Board. This exercise provides them with an opportunity to examine in depth a selected area and to understand the relationship between theory, empirical research and practice. Students will be required to defend a dissertation during an oral examination. The students shall be followed by a supervisor throughout the process. Study-unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to investigate particular issue in Disability Studies and to test a student's ability to present a sustained academic argument in clear, logical prose. This study-unit strives to instill a good appreciation and understanding of work done in the subject area, with a thorough survey of both primary and secondary sources. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - describe, explain and critically analyse the particular issue identified for study; - demonstrate wide knowledge of the theory surrounding the issue; - demonstrate a deep knowledge of the research methods employed; and - explain and analyse the main concepts emerging from the study. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify an area of investigation, develop a research question and draw up a research proposal; - critically review the literature; - analyse concepts; - compare alternative theories and perspectives; - apply appropriate research methods to his or her study; - support arguments by empirical data; - weigh and assess evidence; and draw up the final conclusions on the subject. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y. (Eds.). (2005). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research. (3rd ed.) Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc. - Fraser, S., Lewis, V., Ding, S., Kellet, M. & Robinson, C. (Eds.), (2004) Doing Research with Children and Young People. London: Sage. - Gabor, P. A., Unrau, Y. A. & Grinnell, R. M. (1998). Evaluation for social workers: A quality improvement approach for the social services. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. - Nachmias, C. F. & Nachmias, P. (1992). Research Methods in the Social Sciences, London: Edward Arnold. - Rubin, A., and Babbie, E. (2007). Research methods for social work. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. - Seale, C. (Ed.) (2004). Social Research Methods: A Reader. London: Routledge. - Schutt, R. K. (2006). Investigating the Social World: The Process and Practice of Research, Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. - BARNES, C. and G. MERCER, (Eds). (1997). Doing disability research. Leeds: The Disability Press. - BARNES C. 2002. Emancipatory disability research: project or process?. Journal of research in special educational needs, 2 (1), [no page numbers]. [Accessed 17th June 2011]. Available from http://0-www.blackwell-synergy.com.wam.leeds.ac.uk /doi/ full/10. - WALMSLEY, J. and JOHNSON, K. (2003). Inclusive research with people with learning disabilities: past, present and future. London: Jessica Kingsley. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications: First Cycle Degree Pre-requisite Study-units: DBS5001 and DBS5002 **September Assessment Session: Students who fail to obtain an overall pass mark will be re-examined in the Dissertation. However, the resit availability for the Oral Examination is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. |
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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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