OUGD601 - Lecture 1.0

Overview of Organisation:

400 hours study for a 40 credit module.

6-9000 word Dissertation, and related practical work.

2.5 hours support on the written element of the module, in addition to support with the practical project

Indicative Content:

Students will develop a cohesive research project, with practical and textual outcomes, in response to a proposal developed during the later stages of the Level 5 programme.

This module will require the students to organise and undertake a personal programme of in-depth critical research, to collate and present a coherent written argument and related practical investigation based on analysis and evaluation, presented in the form of an extended formal written study and related practice-based research.

The chosen subject will be relevant to a student’s main course of study and will be used to support and inform their specialist practice. The extended study involves self motivated research but will be supported by individual tutorials aimed at helping the student to develop the appropriate scope and depth of subject matter required within such a project.
The work undertaken will reveal the student’s appreciation and application of research approaches and methodologies.

Planning the Project:

• Write down all questions that you want to investigate
• Consider each on their merits and focus on two (primary & secondary)
• Write an A4 ‘first thoughts’ sheet for each
• What is the purpose of the study? Is your question researchable?
• Working title

Structure the Dissertation into chapters.

• A Dissertation should be separated into chapters.
• Each chapter should ideally evidence a different theoretical / methodological approach.
• The chapters can be quite different in focus – hopefully the introduction will explain why you have chosen a certain structure, and the conclusion will draw these disparate chapters together.
• Think about how these different chapters relate to your practical research.
• Move from the general to the specific.
• Discuss this structure with your individual tutors in your first tutorial.