MIN 411 – Dissertation
Syllabus
Students are required to develop their research outline and proposal, supplemented by a series of four Research Methodology seminars, on the formulation of a dissertation proposal and the composition of an outline, the bibliographical and information technology issues (internet and database searches), an overview of editing and copyright law, the presentation and review of the dissertation structure. MA supervisors will reinforce aspects of the research skills seminars when they meet with students individually during the latter part of the spring semester.
Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy
Assessment Modes
Dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words (the Proposal needs to be at least 1500 words). Viva voce examination may be required in some cases.
Assessment Weighting
Individual coursework: 100% (of which 20% is targeted to the proposal essay)
Learning materials
Core readings
Brundage, A. (2002) Going to the Sources: A Guide to Historical Research and Writing (3rd ed.). Harlan Davidson.Griden, E. (2001) Evaluating Research Articles. London: SAGE.
Griden, E. (1996) Evaluating research articles from start to finish. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Hart, C. (2001) Doing a Literature Review. UK: SAGE.
Murray, R. (2006) How to Write a Thesis (2nd ed.). UK: Open University Press.
Oliver, P. (2003) The student’s guide to research ethics, Buckingham: Open University Press.
Potter, S. (2006) Doing Postgraduate Research. UK: SAGE.
Phillips, E. (2005) How to Get a PhD – 4th edition: A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisors (4th ed.). UK: Open University Press.
Neville, C. (2007) The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism, Buckingham: Open University Press.
Rumsey, S. (2008) How to find information: a guide for researchers, 2nd ed, Maidenhead: Oxford University Press.
Swetnam, D. (2000) Writing Your Dissertation: The Bestselling Guide to Planning, Preparing and Presenting First-Class Work (3rd ed.). Oxford: How To Books Ltd.
