EL7028 - MRes Dissertation

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will identify a research question and produce a 20,000 word dissertation, or 10,000 word Dissertation with major project for designated programme pathways, which represents the culmination of your postgraduate studies on the MRes programme. It will enable you to apply the skills you have acquired in other modules and yield a discrete body of primary sources related to an identifiable area of enquiry. As an exercise in research it is intended to develop further your research skills and your ability to work independently. Dissertation topics will be supervised by an appropriate tutor, who will guide you through the various stages of formulating, researching and writing this substantial piece of work. You will operate at a higher level of independent learning and research than in the taught modules, albeit with the support of a supervisor who has specialist knowledge in your chosen area of interest.

How will I learn on this module?

This is an individual project which is negotiated between you and your appointed tutor. There is therefore no set teaching syllabus but individual tutoring sessions are available on a regular basis. A series of seminar/workshops will provide you with information on sources, information retrieval, research skills and practice, and managing the dissertation. Thereafter, you will meet with your supervisor on a one-to-one basis for tutoring sessions. These offer the opportunity for formative feedback and for discussing plans for future work. During the supervisory sessions you will be encouraged to:
• Tackle research problems
• Outline plans
• Submit timely drafts
• Balance research and writing
• Think critically about the specific problems raised by research
• Apply appropriate methodological and theoretical approaches to underpin your research
• Demonstrate acuity in selecting approaches, methods, concepts and theories.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Supervision will support learning and help direct student research, and will be supplemented by email and written feedback on drafts. You will keep a written record of supervisory meetings and email one copy to the supervisor, and retaining one for yourself to support your learning. Feedback on non-assessed work and the first assessed piece of work will also serve as ‘feed forward’, giving guidance on how to improve during the module. Feedback from your supervisor will enable you to monitor your ongoing academic progress; will help you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development; direct you to further available services which can help you with your academic skills (e.g. Library’s Skills Plus).

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Plan and execute a sustained piece of literary research on a chosen topic and to communicate that plan in written form.

2. Interpret and analyse texts in a sophisticated and complex way and maintain coherent arguments based on a sustained piece of original research;

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate an ability to work independently on a sustained piece of research.

4. Demonstrate advanced self-management skills, including the ability to take responsibility for a large scale project, make editorial choices, and produce an extended piece of written work to high scholarly standards using academic conventions

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Produce research which conforms to ethical standards of scholarly practice and the conventions of academic presentation.

How will I be assessed?

Summative (graded) Assessments
There is one summative assessment, either:
• an extended dissertation of 20,000 words. The dissertation is intended to demonstrate a high-level of independence in research, problem-solving, writing and presentation.

OR

• The MRes Arts, MRes Design, and Social Research and Analysis for Organisation pathways provides for students to choose the 20,000 word dissertation or produce a major project with a 10,000 word dissertation.

Formative (practice) assessment
The submission of a draft introduction and chapters are considered important because feedback will be given to improve the work. This constitutes formative assessment which will aid the final, summative submission.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.

Course info

Credits 90

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time
1 other options available

Department Humanities

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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