Run by School of Medical and Health Sciences

60.000 Credits or 30.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 3

Organiser: Dr Jenny Byast

The dissertation module is the research project module. It aims to provide a platform for students to apply the knowledge, understanding, and application of experiences, developed in the 'taught' diploma modules or during placement (as appropriate for the masters programme being followed), to address a specific research topic. The design of the module will allow students to develop and demonstrate the self-initiative, independence and professional time management skills required to generate/collect, analyse, interpret and finally present a substantial piece of hypothesis or audit driven research.

Students will conduct either desktop or primary research under the supervision of a supervisor.

excellent

Distinction (A- to A**) (range 70-100%)

Primary criteria

Excellent students demonstrate evidence of comprehensive subject expertise, highly original critical thinking and application of transferable skills. Indicators include extensive background study, highly focussed, logically structured answers and arguments, well defended with supportive evidence and appropriate examples. Highly original interpretation of information, with new links between topics developed and original independent problem solving.

Secondary Criteria

A* Outstanding

• Exceeds expectations for all primary criteria
• Complete command of subject and other relevant areas
• Ideas/arguments are highly original

A+ Excellent - Exceeds expectations for most primary criteria - Complete command of subject - Ideas/arguments are highly original

A Good - Meets all primary criteria - Command of subject but with minor gaps in knowledge areas - Ideas/arguments are mostly original

A- Meets requirements of Class - Meets most but not all primary criteria - Complete command of subject but with some gaps in knowledge - Ideas/arguments are mostly original

good

Merit (B- to B+) (range 60-69%)

Primary criteria

Good students demonstrate evidence of strong subject expertise, mostly original critical thinking and good application of transferable skills. Indicators include evidence of background study, well focussed and structured answers and arguments, presented coherently with supportive evidence and appropriate examples and mostly free of factual/computational errors. Some original interpretation is evident although mostly well know links between topics described. Problems addressed mostly by existing methods/approaches, with good independent problem solving abilities.

Secondary Criteria

B+ Good

• Exceeds expectations for most primary criteria
• Command of subject but with gaps in knowledge
• Ideas/arguments are well presented majority are original

B Mid-level

• Meets all primary criteria
• Strong factual knowledge and understanding
• Ideas/arguments are mostly well presented a number are original

B- Meets requirements of class

• Meets most but not all primary criteria
• Strong factual knowledge with minor weaknesses in understanding
• Ideas/arguments are mostly well presented few are original

threshold

C+ Good within the class

• Exceeds expectations for some primary criteria
• Strong factual knowledge with some weaknesses in understanding
• Ideas/arguments are limited but are well presented

C Mid-level

• Matches all primary criteria
• Moderate factual knowledge with some weaknesses in understanding
• Ideas/arguments are limited presented with weaknesses in logic/presentation

C- Meets requirements of class

• Matches most but not all primary criteria
• Moderate factual knowledge with several weaknesses in understanding
• Ideas/arguments are limited presented with weaknesses in logic/presentation

1. Demonstrate initiative, independent working and professional time management skills

2. Present research findings in specific formats best suited to disseminate research data and findings

3. Demonstrate abilities to perform in-depth analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data as appropriate for the topic

4. Efficiently execute, and/or modify/develop methodologies as appropriate for the chosen topic

5. Critically discuss qualitative and/or quantitative data and draw appropriate conclusions (with relevance to the topic as this will vary depending on masters programme being followed)

6. Generate/extract data from a variety of sources to address a specific research aim/hypothesis/research question/audit

7. Employ relevant methods of data analysis to address a specific research hypothesis/audit

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Poster Presentation		30.00
	Dissertation		70.00

		Hours
One-to-one supervision	Students and supervisor can mutually arrange a time-table to a maximum of 10hrs of meetings and for discussion of project development, progress and feedback	20
Individual Project	Self-study and project development, data generation and independent analysis and preparation of assessments	574
Tutorial	these tutorials take place in the weeks leading up to the dissertation to explain about the dissertation e.g. word counts, formatting, plagiarism, referencing etc	6

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in