Module XME-4705:
Reflection and problem solving (dissertation)
Module Facts
Run by School of Educational Sciences
60.000 Credits or 30.000 ECTS Credits
Organiser: Dr Susan Jones
Overall aims and purpose
strong textTo enable the student to pursue an independent work-based learning project which has been negotiated with both their organisation and their assigned tutor.
Course content
• The student will design a complex, detailed and methodologically sound study that can be conducted within their workplace in the time allocated, with support from an individual project tutor.
• The student will complete an Ethical Approval Form to ensure that their project has been held to rigorous ethical standards by the University.
• The student will analyse their data using appropriate methods.
• The student will conduct their project with support from an individual project tutor.
Assessment Criteria
excellent
85-100%, Distinction: Outstanding work which demonstrates exceptional scholarship and is worthy of publication, or instrumental in developing professional practice.
70-84%, Distinction: Demonstrates excellence in power of analysis, argument, originality, range of research, organisation and stylistic quality.
threshold
40-49%, Fail: Some consideration given to planning and structure, limited in depth of analysis and use of research, but demonstrating some understanding of the subject matter.
30-39%, Fail: Below the threshold level for Masters’, despite showing a little evidence of relevant study and knowledge.
0-30%, Fail: Seriously deficient, lacking any real evidence of subject knowledge or understanding.
good
60-69%, Merit: Shows significant insight, offers sustained and relevant analysis, well researched and referenced and written with a clear structure and style.
50-59%, Pass: Clear evidence of planning leading to a good structure, sound understanding of theories and analysis, and good use of research supported by appropriate evidence.
Learning outcomes
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recommend future actions based on the findings, discussing interrelationships between wider systems in which the area of practice is located;
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design and negotiate a substantial, methodologically sound, work-based study, demonstrating due regard to ethical issues;
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analyse, interpret, critically evaluate and report relevant research data, understanding and managing dilemmas and value-conflicts;
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reflect critically on the outcomes of a project, including individual learning, lessons learned, and issues of insider research.
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Project Report | 100.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Work-based learning | Placement Learning |
450 |
Tutorial | Scheduled learning – lecture, tutorial and group work. |
30 |
Independent and distance learning |
120 |
Transferable skills
- 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
Subject specific skills
• Critically evaluate and interpret data in order to draw conclusions for the school improvement project.
• Resolve complex organisational and practice issues within the context of the workplace, taking into consideration budgetary, political, strategic, ethical and social issues.
Resources
Reading list
Essential Essential texts relevant to the area(s) of study will be identified collaboratively with learners by individual project tutors.
Further Costley, C., Elliott, G., and Paul Gibbs (2012) Doing Work Based Research, Approaches to Enquiry for Insider-Researchers, London: Sage.
Further Gray, D. E. (2004). Doing Research in the Real World, London: Sage.
Further Walliman, N. (2001) Your Research Project: A stepby-step guide for the first-time researcher, London: Sage