LG994-7-FY-CO:
Dissertation (Research)
2026/27
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2026
Friday 02 July 2027
90
01 June 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MRESQ11012 Applied Linguistics,
MRESQ10012 Linguistics,
MPHDQ11048 Applied Linguistics,
PHD Q11048 Applied Linguistics,
MPHDQ1X348 English Language Teaching,
PHD Q1X348 English Language Teaching,
MPHDQ10048 Linguistics,
PHD Q10048 Linguistics,
MPHDQ15048 Psycholinguistics,
PHD Q15048 Psycholinguistics,
MPHDQ14048 Sociolinguistics,
PHD Q14048 Sociolinguistics,
MPHDQ91048 Translation Studies (Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling),
PHD Q91048 Translation Studies (Translation, Interpreting and Subtitling)
The first-year dissertation is a central component of the Integrated PhD. Writing your dissertation is your chance to research a topic of your choosing with the guidance of an experienced researcher.
At 22,000 words, the dissertation represents a substantial piece of work and is the equivalent of 2-3 academic journal articles of the type you will have read during your programme. It therefore requires careful planning and research, and considerable determination to stick to a carefully worked out timetable.
You can use the dissertation as a first step towards the supervised research component of your PhD, e.g. by conducting a pilot study in preparation for your main project.
The aims of this module are:
- To design and conduct an in-depth study on a specific linguistic topic;
- To read extensively and critically examine the scientific literature relevant to this topic;
- Develop practical research skills including project planning, data collection and analysis;
- To enable students to write a full-length report in the required academic style and of the professional quality expected at this level on the research you have carried out;
- Develop organisational and academic skills in terms of time/project management and responsiveness to feedback.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Examine existing models, theories, methods and/or results in the scientific literature as a guide to producing your own work.
- Propose, develop and refine research questions and associated hypotheses with constructive feedback from your supervisor.
- Consider existing methods of data collection, reduction and analysis, and adopt or adapt them, or develop new ones, as needed for your own research.
- Examine published research and dissertations to make yourself familiar with typical structures and requirements of academic writing.
- Carefully plan, produce and revise the sections of your own dissertation in response to constructive feedback from your supervisor. If you are an Integrated PhD student, you will consider the possible relationship between this dissertation and your proposed PhD research. This may include a pilot project, an extension of research questions or data, the resolution of preliminary issues, etc.
No additional information available.
Students will mainly work independently. Group and individual meetings with their supervisor will provide guidance and feedback on work presented.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Dissertation (Research) |
02/07/2027 |
|
Additional coursework information
N/A
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Reassessment
100 per cent Coursework Mark
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Karen Roehr-Brackin, email: kroehr@essex.ac.uk.
Various
No
No
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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