Module Identifier | LA37320 | ||||||||
Module Title | DISSERTATION 2 | ||||||||
Academic Year | 2005/2006 | ||||||||
Co-ordinator | Mr Richard W Ireland | ||||||||
Semester | Available semesters 1 and 2 | ||||||||
Other staff | Dr Catherine Dupre | ||||||||
Co-Requisite | LA35220, LA10110 or LA30110 or LA15710 | ||||||||
Course delivery | Lecture | ||||||||
Seminars / Tutorials | Seminar. Supervision arranged by supervisor | ||||||||
Assessment |
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Professional Exemptions | Not Required for Professional Purposes |
The objectives of the training involved in the module may be summarised as follows:
(a) to develop an appreciation of the research potential of subjects through the choice of a viable topic for research;
(b) to develop research skills as regards the location of relevant material, in particular through the use of bibliographical guides and subject databases;
(c) to develop the skills associated with the planning, organising and timetabling of a sustained piece of research over a period of some months;
(d) to develop the ability to organise ideas and order material for the effective presentation of argument and data;
(e) to develop academic writing skills for purposes of presenting a clear, articulate and readable account of the subject in question in a substantial written format of 6000 - 10,000 words.
The Dissertation I module is designed for students undertaking such work for the first time.
The module is assessed by a reading of the dissertation by the supervisor as a first marker, by another member of staff as second marker, and by an external examiner where appropriate. The dissertation is assessed applying criteria relating to the effectiveness and adequacy of the research and the written presentation of material and argument. The assessment is therefore especially concerned with the ability to work relatively independently, to locate and organise rlevant research material, and to communicate effectively via written media.
Socio-Legal Dissertation - Combining Dissertation modules1 and 2
This 40 credit research opportunity permits students to undertake an empirical research project such as one involving questionnaire surveys or interviews. It may also be possible to use this route to make an in-depth methodological or theoretical critique of a published criminological or socio-legal study or collection of studies. In order to complete such a project it is necessary to devote a substantial amount of time and effort and students will therefore be required to register for both Dissertation 1 module and the Dissertation 2 module as a combined package to be studied over two semesters in one academic year (20 credits each semester). There will be certain projects for which this will be the requirement, projects which require the extra research training and for which a single dissertation does not allow the time to complete the task to the required academic standard.
Students wishing to consider such a dissertation should first discuss their idea with a potential supervisor who will consider whether or not it is a suitable topic for the combined dissertation module. Students accepted onto the combined module will, in addition to normal supervision and introductory lectures in semester 1, also attend seminars which aim to provide law students with guidance on criminological and socio-legal theory and research methodology. In semester 2 they will be given seminars covering data analysis and writing up skills within this field. Assessment will take place in two parts:
1. At the end of the first semester an assessment of between 6,000 and 10,000 words would be expected to include the following:
The idea or dissertation plan
Literature search and placing the question within the present academic debate.
Research design
Research methodology
A pilot study, if one is conducted.
2. At the end of the second semester a further assessment of between 6,000 and 10,000 words would be expected to include the following :
Data collection
Data analysis
Writing up
The project as a whole will also be assessed.
Methods of assessment will be as with all other dissertations.
In addition to the expected outcomes in the normal dissertation those studying the combined socio-legal dissertation will achiever the following:
a) Have a deeper understanding of and be able to critique and analyse general socio-legal research skills;
b) Ability to critique the research methodology of others;
c) Ability to use quantitative methodologies;
d) Ability to use qualitative methodologies;
e) Enhanced problem solving skills.
This module is at CQFW Level 6