Dissertation (Portsmouth, Psychology)

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the formulation of research questions and investigative strategy based upon the critical and creative assessment and synthesis of published and unpublished sources of research.
• Show professional practical competence and an understanding of issues and processes in planning and obtaining necessary consents for the research (e.g. ethics, resources, access to participants).
• Analyse and interpret data in a systematic, informed and critical manner, reviewing results against the original research questions, identifying alternative interpretations and limits on the generalisability of conclusions and formulating and justifying recommendations for further research and development.
• Systematically implement the research plan to a professional standard of procedure, ethics, and personal conduct.
• Prepare a comprehensive and accurate written research report in a clear style, acceptable format and to a professional standard.

Supervisors and students will meet with mutually agreed frequency to discuss ideas, facilitate planning and review progress whilst maintaining an emphasis on independent use and development of knowledge and skills by the student. The specific content of tutorial meetings and the precise activities each student is expected to engage in will vary according to the nature of each project. However, supervision activities may include some or all of the following: advice on the location and retrieval of relevant information, use of the university library and/or other electronic information systems; training with, or development of any specific experimental, analytic or laboratory skills required for the project; support regarding the design of the study and the appropriate choice of research methods; consideration of ethical issues and support regarding completion of appropriate ethical review processes; assistance with setting up and executing the study; guidance on expected professional standards of research conduct; guidance on data collection and appropriate recording/storage of results; guidance on coding, analysis and interpretation of the data; support with assessments (feedback on dissertation drafts).

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching will consist of introductory lectures on how to write and what is expected within a dissertation. These will be followed by individual one-to-one supervision on the project selected by the student.

Summative

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

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External