module specification

The module gives students the opportunity to attain achievement of a high level of personal development by working independently with the minimum necessary supervision. The module enables students to investigate in depth a specific core question related to the field of political violence and radicalisation. The module aims to:

- assist students in designing their research proposal and completing their dissertation;
- provide students with advanced analytical skills to conduct research for their thesis independently;
-instruct students into assessing the strengths and limitations of research methods for answering questions on political violence and counter-radicalisation strategies;

Students are required to:

1. In agreement with their supervisor, students will choose a topic for research and will make a formal dissertation plan.
2. Submit a Formal Proposal Form
3. Attend dissertation workshops as necessary
4. Have at least four meetings with their supervisor to review progress, plan future work and set an agenda for future meeting(s)
5. Submit the completed dissertation by the relevant deadline and in accordance with the formal dissertation requirements.

LO1-LO4

During the early stages of the dissertation, seminars and workshops will help to familiarise students with the aims and methodology of the dissertation. In addition, sessions will be held with library staff. The supervisor will provide guidance and advice in regular one to one tutorial sessions or via email/telephone.

Students can select their own research topic, but this is subject to authorization of the module leader. Students will be required to submit a formal dissertation plan. Once this has been approved, students will be allocated a dissertation tutor, and for the
remainder of the module, supervision of the dissertation will be conducted on an individual basis. It is expected that pertinent knowledge and skills gained in other course modules will be reflected in the dissertation.

This module programme requires a high degree of responsibility and autonomy from the student in the planning and completion of the task. Students will receive a dissertation booklet early in the programme and will be required to complete a proposal form and later a literature review draft on which they will receive written feedback. Student and supervisor will meet on a regular basis for discussion on objectives and progression.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

LO1. Identify a relevant research question within the content of the course and get this approved by the supervisor;

LO2. Design a research plan to be carried out for completion, linking research questions to appropriate research concepts, terminology and methods and/or evaluative approaches;

LO3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of their research topic by using a range of appropriate theories and research methods;

LO4. Critically engage with research methodologies and apply their understanding of this to their own study in order to produce an original piece of work.

The module is assessed in two parts: a research proposal to be submitted in week 10 (worth 10%) and 12,000 words dissertation to be submitted in week 22 (worth 90%).

Dissertation titles needs to be agreed with the supervisor in advance.

This coursework will contain an assessed element of the PDP. Students will receive formative feedback from their research proposal and along their 4 meetings with their supervisor on their ability to plan, reflect upon data and their findings and the writing process. 

Students will receive summative assessment on their final dissertation, which is assessed independently by at least one member of staff, excluding the supervisor. In awarding a mark the examiner takes into account the achievement of the student in terms of the results obtained, the clarity of presentation, use of research methods and theories, layout and the standard of the discussion including the students’ consideration of their findings in a wider context of the investigation.

Students will be assessed on aggregate passing 50%.

Core Text:

Bell, J. (2005) Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researches in education, health and social science (Fourth Edition). Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
King R.D. and Wincup E. (2000) (eds) ‘Doing Research on Crime and Justice’, Oxford University Press
Silverman D. (ed) (2004) 'Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice' (2nd ed.) London: Sage
Swetnam, D (2004), 'Writing your dissertation: how to plan, prepare and present successful work', Oxford: How to Books
Additional readings:
Fabb, N. and Durant, A. (2005) How to Write Essays, Coursework Projects and Dissertations in Literary Studies (Second Edition) Harlow: Longman.
Howard K., Sharp, J.A. and Peters, J. (2002) The Management of a Student Research Project (Third Edition) Aldershot: Gower.
Northedge, A. (2005) The Good Study Guide (Second Edition) Milton Keynes: Open University Worldwide.