PIM91-Dissertation in Public Policy

Module Provider: Graduate Institute for Politics and International Studies
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr David Marshall
Email: d.j.marshall@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

To provide students with an opportunity to analyse in some depth a specific topic within the realm of their studies on public policy; to display the ability to carry out primary and secondary research.

Aims:

The aims of the dissertation are to:

• develop students’ capacity for independent research and critical analysis;


• deepen their knowledge of a specialised topic within their programme of study;


• develop their ability to write an extended piece of analysis.

Assessable learning outcomes:

The student will demonstrate their learning outcomes by:

• formulating a relevant, coherent and clearly defined research project;


• analysing complex issues in a critical fashion;


• generating sources of information and ideas;


• collecting appropriate data;


• providing a systematic, objective and carefully structured analysis of the information collected;


• drawing relevant conclusions from th e analysis and relating these to the existing literature.

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop the ability to work on their own initiative and learn to organise their work on a longer term project within a tight schedule. The dissertation will also offer the ability to demonstrate originality in the chosen research sphere.

Outline content:

A supervised though largely independent research project of 8,500 words on a subject arising out of the student’s programme of study in public policy.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Tutorial supervision.

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students are required to submit an 8,500 words dissertation by an agreed deadline (which under normal circumstances would be in early-September).

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 􀀓Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes􀀔, which can be found here: