EDM133: MA Education dissertation

Module code: EDM133

Module provider: Institute of Education

Credits: 60

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Ms Suzy Tutchell, email: s.tutchell@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

• Develop an understanding in depth of the chosen area
• Produce a high quality, fully referenced dissertation (15,000 words) supported by appropriate evidence
• Develop and make use of all academic skills in identifying and defining a research topic, applying appropriate research techniques to collect original data, analysing the data and where relevant, offering practical conclusions
• Display academic rigour in carrying out the agreed research and in presenting findings
• Develop an argument for a considered and well-informed dissertation.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Work independently to plan and deliver a research topic, conduct independent research, and present findings in an extended piece of written work undertaken according to IoE research ethics standards
2. Write an education research dissertation following an appropriate chapter structure: title, contents and abstract; introduction, literature review, research methodology, results and findings, and conclusion; then reference list and appendices
3. Establish a conceptual and/or theoretical context for the research and provide a thorough rationale for the research undertaken demonstrated in the appropriate content for each chapter
4. Report findings and present analysis of data using appropriate quantitative and statistical and/or qualitative data research tools and analysis
5. Present a generalisation of the findings leading to conclusions and implications for policy and practice or research, appraising and evaluating research data against research questions
6. Exercise informed and independent critical judgement through structured and reasoned argument expressed in effective and fluent academic writing observing academic integrity

Module content

Introductory sessions and tutorials, development of initial dissertation outline, data collection, writing. Much of the content will be independent work.

The specialist subject skills knowledge and understanding will very much be directed by the subject of the dissertation.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The contact time for the dissertation consists of introductory group tutorials and individual supervision. EDM007 compliments and supports students' work on their dissertation by, for example, providing training in research methods.

Note: This module is completed by both part time and full-time students. Students will take 12 months to complete this module. All full-time students submit their dissertation in the September of the calendar year following their enrolment on the MA in Education programme.  Part-time students also submit their dissertations on this September date, within the terms of their maximum registration date as their programme is flexible. The dates of submissions will be published on the Blackboard organisation for the MA in Education programme. The actual terms for tutorial supervision would be adapted to the individual student.

All taught sessions are delivered online. Tutorial meetings with your dissertation supervisor can happen either on-line or face-to-face, or both.

Study hours

At least 0 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will receive regular written and verbal feedback from their supervisor.

Reassessment

Additional costs