PS497     
Dissertation

This information is for the 2017/18 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Frederic Basso QUE.3.14

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Health, Community and Development, MSc in Organisational and Social Psychology, MSc in Psychology of Economic Life, MSc in Social and Cultural Psychology and MSc in Social and Public Communication. This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

The dissertation is an empirical investigation, carried out by the student, under the supervision of a member of staff. Research topics and methodologies vary considerably, but they must relate to the student’s MSc Programme. All dissertation topics will need to be approved by a supervisor who is a faculty member of the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science. By the end of the Michaelmas Term students will be introduced to the Dissertation module and members of staff will outline the research areas in which they would be keen to supervise projects. In the first instance students should approach the member of staff whom they would like to be supervised by. Students then submit a Dissertation Plan, outlining their project, and the supervisor who they have discussed the project with. Students are then allocated to supervisors. The supervisor will advise the student, help provide information and bibliography, and provide feedback on the research.

Teaching

16 hours across LT and ST consisting of group supervision, workshops and related research activities.

Formative coursework

Students will receive formative feedback from their supervisor on the following coursework (1,000 words): 1) A Dissertation Plan 2) A Dissertation Progress Report

Assessment

Dissertation (100%, 10000 words) post-summer term.

Student performance results

(2013/14 - 2015/16 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 29.5
Merit 57.2
Pass 11
Fail 2.3

Key facts

Department: Psychological and Behavioural Science

Total students 2016/17: 170

Average class size 2016/17: Unavailable

Controlled access 2016/17: No

Value: One Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Specialist skills