Module GEOG41160: VOCATIONAL DISSERTATION

Department: Geography

GEOG41160: VOCATIONAL DISSERTATION

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• DISSERTATION BY RESEARCH

Aims

• To enable students to apply the skills, methods and knowledge acquired in the core and option modules to a specialist topic defined in consultation with a public-sector, private-sector or civil society vocational partner.
• To enable students to acquire an advanced knowledge and understanding of a specialist sub-field relevant to their degree programme and their vocational partner; and
• To enable students to undertake a research project in collaboration with a private or public sector or civil society partner, subject to the constraints of their relevant degree programme.

Content

• The module enables students to develop and execute an extended piece of research in an area defined in consultation with a vocational partner, where the project takes the form of a partner-framed question, student-framed project proposal, a reflective diary and a consultancy-style report.
• The module covers principles of good research design, methodology and execution, including issues of ethics, rigour, creativity and validity.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of:
• a single specialised sub-field relevant to their degree programme and their vocational partner;
• appropriate theory and methodology;
• how to analyse data pertinent to their sub-field;
• how to formulate researchable problems and an appreciation of alternative approaches to research;
• the importance of reflecting on their role as researchers in the context of different approaches to knowledge production; and
• the ethics and politics of doing geographical research in the context of contemporary debates about research and its uses.

• Students will be able to:
• develop and execute an appropriate dissertation pertinent to their chosen degree programme;
• negotiate the terms of reference for a research project in collaboration with a vocational partner;
• critically reflect on the development, application / testing, and evaluation of appropriate methods of research and analysis;
• identify and reflect on the epistemological, political and ethical implications of their choice of research methods;
• reflect critically on their role as a researcher;
• verbally report on what they found in the course of their research to a non-specialist audience.

• Ability to deliberate, to discuss, to negotiate and to decide on research directions, through contact with their vocational partner and/or supervisor
• Ability to write an advanced level report of a substantial nature
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, explaining the project brief and aims, activities carried out and a coherent discussion and summary of findings;
• Independent management of a consultancy-style project (in collaboration with and under guidance from the vocational partner and/or dissertation adviser);
• Advanced quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis, as appropriate.
• Exercise of initiative and skill in written communication.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students will be responsible for identifying a possible vocational partner, with suggestions provided by the Module Convenor. The Module Convenor may assist with initial contacts with the vocational partner and will identify a supervisor.
• Students will be responsible for meeting any costs associated with any placement (such as travel costs, accommodation, etc.).
• An initial electronic (video-conference preferably; possibly teleconference) meeting between the student, the partner and the supervisor will be used to develop the research focus.
• The student will then be responsible for developing the proposal for their research, to be agreed by both the vocational partner and the supervisor. This will include a statement from the vocational partner of the resources to be made available to the student, including research tools, contact and, in some cases, desk space.
• Individual supervision will be provided during the academic year as required.
• Additional guidance, under the agreement, will be provided by the vocational partner.
• The student will produce a project proposal, and will additionally receive feedback on two draft sections of the consultancy-style report. The timing and content of this work will be specified in the module guide.
• Assessment is by means of a consultancy-style report of 10,000 words (including footnotes but excluding references), a completed reflective research diary of 5000 words, and a compulsory 10 minute oral presentation followed by questions. Students will be advised on the format of their consultancy-style report and research diary, being given specific advice on the format and examples of good practice.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

The student will produce and receive written feedback on: a) a research proposal (500 words) b) comments on one draft section of the report. They will receive oral feedback on work produced for supervision.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University