| CODE | SWP4042 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Dissertation | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Social Policy and Social Work | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This unit provides the student with an opportunity to examine a selected area in depth and to understand the relationship between theory, empirical research and practice. Study-Unit Aims: The main aim of this study-unit is that of fostering independent learning by guiding students to focus on a topic of their choice, producing a literature review, choosing a method for undertaking a study, documenting and analysing their findings, discussing their findings in relation to theory, eliciting conclusions and recommending changes or developments in the social work field. It aims to provide students with the opportunity to work under the supervision of a tutor to undertake a piece of research into an area which is of particular interest to them and in the process develop skills related to analysis, critical evaluation, reflection, problem solving, logical argument and communication. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Plan and write a suitable dissertation proposal; - Clearly identify the rationale, aims and research questions for that dissertation; - Undertake a comprehensive literature review of the topic under investigation and write a comprehensive and logical evaluation of the salient aspects; - Explain and justify the proposed method for undertaking the dissertation; - Systematically and competently implement the method identified in the dissertation; - Demonstrate rigour in the analysis of data and information from primary and/or secondary sources and in the synthesis and interpretation of facts and ideas; - Write a dissertation which demonstrates a logical consistency in approach and structure, and critical evaluation of theory, process, solutions and outcomes. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis through wide reading and critical reflection on a number of pieces of written research in an appropriate and thorough manner; - Design appropriate research methodology and choice of instruments; - Demonstrate the ability to reflect, through the analysis of their findings; - Demonstrate the ability to make logical argument, through the discussion of their findings; - Reflect on the strengths and limitations of their work; - Reflect on the ethical implications of their research; - Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and cogently; - Demonstrate the ability to reference work appropriately. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Becker, S., Bryman, A., Ferguson, H. (eds). (2012). Understanding research for social policy and social work: Themes, methods and approaches (2nd ed.). Policy Press. - Clark, T., Foster, L., Sloan, L., & Bryman, A. (2021). Bryman’s social research methods (6th ed.). Oxford University Press. - Greetham, Brian (2014). How to write your undergraduate dissertation (2nd ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. - Ravitch, S. M., & Riggan, M. (2017). Reason & rigor: How conceptual frameworks guide research (2nd ed.) SAGE. Supplementary texts: - American Psychological Association. (2020). Concise guide to APA style: The official APA style guide for students (7th ed.). American Psychological Association. - Bassot, B. (2020). The research journal: A reflective tool for your first independent research project. Bristol University Press and Policy Press. - Denscombe, M. (2017). The good research guide for small-scale research projects (6th ed.). Open University Press. - Guest, G., MacQueen, K. M. & Namey, E. E. (2012). Applied thematic analysis. SAGE. - Hart, C. (2018). Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination (2nd ed.). SAGE. - Holosko, M. J. (2006). Primer for critiquing social research: A student guide. Brooks/Cole. - Padgett, D. K. (2016). Qualitative methods in social work research (3rd ed.). SAGE. - Punch, K. F. (2016). Developing effective research proposals (3rd ed.). SAGE. - Sarantakos, S. (2013). Social research (4th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan. - Teater, B., Devaney, J., Forrester, D., Scourfield J., & Carpenter, J. (2017). Quantitative research methods for social work: Making social work count. Palgrave. - Yin, R. K. (2016). Qualitative research from start to finish (2nd ed.) The Guilford Press. |
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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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