LING6016 Dissertation (ALLT/ELT)
Module Overview
The MA dissertation gives you the opportunity to undertake an extended piece of independent research, with guidance from a supervisor.
Aims and Objectives
Module Aims
• undertake an extended piece of independent research, with guidance from a supervisor; • develop a theoretical framework and research design relating to your chosen topic; • choose, apply and evaluate a range of relevant research procedures; • make a small scale original contribution to applied linguistics and/or English language teaching; • prepare for professional activity in which independent research is a component.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the topic you have selected in your chosen field of study;
- relevant theoretical approaches applicable to your topic;
- research design and techniques appropriate for your topic;
- scholarly and policy debates relating to your topic.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- demonstrate specific, as well as general, research skills, such as information retrieval and library searches and the use of a range of empirical fieldwork techniques;
- use information technology appropriately to support and present your research
- compose under deadline conditions an extended piece of writing which is logically structured, coherently argued, and clearly written, supported by a detailed bibliography;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- develop a sustained argument over an extended piece of work;
- critically assess some previous work on your chosen subject;
- design, implement and evaluate a small scale empirical research project in applied linguistics;
- demonstrate originality of thought and approach which moves beyond a simple synthesis of secondary materials.
Syllabus
The dissertation is an extended piece of work of 15,000-20,000 words, which results from independent research on an applied linguistics/ language teaching topic. The dissertation gives you the opportunity to explore a topic of particular interest to you in greater depth than is possible within the scope of a taught module.
Special Features
The group meetings and tutorial supervision provide you with general and specific guidance and feedback on your theoretical framework, research design and fieldwork skills. In the written dissertation you will be expected to demonstrate the research skills and the intellectual ability required by the project and as stated above in Section 3.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
You learn primarily through research and independent study, accompanied by regular group meetings with the module coordinator and individual tutorials with your dissertation supervisor. Group meetings provide a forum for discussion of possible topics, for presentation of work in progress, and for addressing issues of common concern regarding project design, fieldwork methods, data analysis and dissertation writing. In the early individual supervisions the scope of the project and design and methodology for investigation of the topic are agreed, and the structure of the finished dissertation is discussed. Later meetings require you to have prepared a section of the work.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 588 |
| Teaching | 12 |
| Total study time | 600 |
Resources & Reading list
Bell, J (1999). Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social science.
Brown, J D and Rodgers, T S (2002). Doing Second Language Research.
Scholfield, P (1995). Quantifying Language.
Walliman, N (2001). Your Research Project: A step by step guide for the first-time researcher.
McDonough, J and McDonough, S (1997). Research Methods for English Language Teachers.
Assessment
Assessment Strategy
Assessments designed to provide informal, on-module feedback  feedback and group discussion arising from oral presentations of work in progress  review of progress in regular individual supervisions  individual feedback on outline of dissertation and draft chapters.
Summative
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Diligence and Initiative (20000 words) | 100% |
Referral
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External