Module aims 

The dissertation / final project aims to provide an opportunity for you to engage in research and advanced scholarship in a subject area that is appropriate to your course but of your own choosing.

Learning outcomes   

On completion of this module you should be able to:

• Define and agree clear, realistic and coherent objectives for a project requiring research and advanced scholarship in a subject area that is appropriate to your award.
• Systematically and effectively apply appropriate methods, tools and/or techniques in order to meet the agreed objectives successfully.
• Demonstrate a rigorous critique of the strengths and limitations of the methods, tools and/or techniques employed and reflect upon any academic, ethical and/or technical issues encountered.
• Critically evaluate the outcomes of the work undertaken with due reference to appropriate existing research and/or common/best practice.
• Create one or more finished pieces of work that is/are accessible to an academic (and if appropriate, professional) audience which complies with any pre-defined criteria (e.g. as specified by any accrediting professional body or assessment specification).

Key Skills developed in the module

• Management    
• Communication
• Data Analysis & Interpretation 
• Problem Solving          
• Knowledge & Understanding   
• Lifelong Learning & CPD        

Teaching and Learning Strategies   

Students carry out their work under the direction of an academic supervisor.

Students have a significant level of freedom in selecting and developing their research project (indeed, one of the objectives is to allow the student to demonstrate such management skills) and ultimately it is the student's responsibility to meet the required learning outcomes. However, the academic supervisor will seek to ensure that unprofitable or intractable avenues are not pursued and that the student is keeping to targets.