Dissertation

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• critically assess some previous work on your chosen subject;
• design, implement and evaluate a small scale empirical research project in applied linguistics;
• develop a sustained argument over an extended piece of work;
• demonstrate originality of thought and approach which moves beyond a simple synthesis of secondary materials.

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;
• scholarly and policy debates relating to your topic
• research design and techniques appropriate for your topic;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• understand ethical and legal issues involved in applied linguistics research.
• 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;
• demonstrate interpersonal skills whilst working with others in the investigation of problems, and in the presentation of arguments and evidence;

The dissertation is an extended piece of work of 15,000-20,000 words, which results from independent empirical research on an applied linguistics 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.

Teaching and learning methods

You learn primarily through research and independent study, accompanied by regular online meetings with your dissertation supervisor. 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.

Innovative or special features of this module:

• review of progress in regular individual supervisions
• individual feedback on outline of dissertation and draft chapters.

The individual online meetings with your supervisor provide you with guidance on the identification and development of a research problem, the design of an overall research plan and the selection of appropriate methods for data gathering and data analysis.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Walliman, N (2001). Your Research Project: A step by step guide for the first-time researcher. London: SAGE Publications.

Brown, J D and Rodgers, T S (2002). Doing Second Language Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bell, J (1999). Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social science. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

McDonough, J and McDonough, S (1997). Research Methods for English Language Teachers. London: Arnold.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External