LG994-7-SL-CO:
Dissertation (Research)
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2024/25
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Summer & Long Vacation
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Tuesday 22 April 2025
Wednesday 01 October 2025
90
24 August 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
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The dissertation is a central component of the MRes or 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 writing and is the equivalent of three 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.
If you are integrated PhD student you may choose to continue this area of Research into the second and third years of your PhD.
The module aims that students will:
1. produce a sustained and in-depth piece of research on a specific linguistic topic.
2. develop practical research skills in practical hypothesis testing and research planning.
3. critically examine the scientific literature relevant to your topic.
4. explore and develop appropriate methods of data collection, sampling and analysis.
5. develop your skills in academic writing and presentation in response to constructive feedback from your supervisor.
On this module, students will:
1. examine existing models, theories, methods and/or results in the scientific literature as a guide to producing your own work.
2. propose, develop and refine research questions and associated hypotheses with constructive feedback from your supervisor.
3. consider existing methods of data collection, reduction and analysis, and adopt or adapt them, or develop new ones, as needed for your own research.
4. examine published research and dissertations to make yourself familiar with typical structures and requirements of academic writing.
5. 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.
Students will mainly work independently, however, 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 |
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 Adela Ganem Gutierrez, email: aganem@essex.ac.uk.
Various
aganem@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Dr Vivienne Esther Rogers
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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