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 related to their degree programme and 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 an advanced research project in collaboration with a private or public sector or civil society partner, related to their degree programme.

Content

• The module introduces principles of good research design. Indicative content includes topics such as
• developing research questions;
• research ethics, and research health and safety;
• choosing appropriate methods;
• critical writing and reading;
• practical experience managing an independent research project;
• choosing an analytical approach;
• synthesizing complex data;
• communicating research to multiple audiences.
• The module provides students with experience developing and executing research with a vocational partner.
• Working with vocational partners:
• Students will identify a possible vocational partner, with suggestions provided by Module staff. Module staff 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 meeting between the student, the partner and the supervisor will be used to develop the research focus. This meeting may be held online or in person, according to student, partner and supervisor availability.
• 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.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of:
• Best practise in research design for their specialised topic;
• Research ethics and challenges specific to their topic and working with vocational partners;
• How to develop and execute an appropriate research project in partnership with a vocational partner on a topic related to their degree programme;
• Specialised knowledge of their research area.

• Students will be able to:
• Formulate researchable problems in their programme specialty,
• Choose appropriate theory and methodology for their specialised area of research,
• Analyse complex data to answer their research questions;
• Situate their project in relation to existing research;
• Critically reflect on the research process;
• Explain their choice of research design, analytic approach and argument in oral and written forums;

• Ability to deliberate, to discuss, to negotiate and to decide on research directions, in partnership with their vocational partner and supervisor;
• Ability to write an advanced level consultancy-style report;
• 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 supervisor);
• Ability to analyse quantitative and/or qualitative data; and
• Ability to undertake clear and concise written and verbal communication.

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

• Workshops:
• All taught masters students attend five workshops. These workshops cover principles of good research design, research ethics, health and safety, and assessment guidance.
• The workshops introduce students to the skills and knowledge needed to plan, execute and present their dissertation research.
• Small Group Supervision:
• Students will be assigned tutorial group with other vocational dissertation students.
• Small group tutorials will provide guidance on the vocational dissertation process, including agreeing a project with your vocational partner; principles of good research design and how to implement them; establishing clear expectations and timelines; professional communication styles; how to structure a consultation report.
• Small groups will enable students to develop key skills in formulating researchable problems with a non-academic partner; discussing, deciding and explaining research project design to non-academic audiences; creative problem-solving and critically reflecting on their research design choices.
• Individual Supervision:
• Students will be assigned a member of staff to supervise their project. The vocational partner may provide additional supervision, as well. Supervisors, students and partners will establish supervision expectations early in the process.
• Individual supervision meetings will provide bespoke academic support for the vocational project, to complement support provided by the vocational partner. Supervision may include (but is not limited to): recommending topical and methodological literature; piloting research methods; critical reflection on the research process; feedback on writing style and report structure; advice on time management; and suggesting wider university resources to support their development.
• Individual supervision meetings may take place throughout the dissertation planning, research and writing process, as required in Terms 2, 3 and summer months.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Formative Assessment The student will produce and receive written feedback on: 1) a research proposal (up to 1000 words), and 2) on one draft chapter of the dissertation (up to 2500 words), and the executive summary. In addition, the student will produce and receive verbal feedback on work produced for group and 1:1 supervision.

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.