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The SSEES MA Dissertation Preparation module (SEES0092) is compulsory for all students on a one-year (or two-year part-time) MA programme at SEEES. IMESS and MRes students are also expected to enrol on this module and to attend the library workshops and the workshops relevant to their disciplinary area of interest.

Module Content and Delivery

The MA Dissertation Preparation module is designed to help you to fulfil the aims and objectives of the Dissertation (SEES0123) to the highest standard. The module is team-taught, with input from a senior SSEES librarian and experienced academic staff. It includes:

• two library workshops, one on planning your researchÌýand the other onÌýmanaging resources
• at least three discipline-specific workshops, which between them cover topics relevant to the discipline in which you are writing your dissertation, such as (but not limited to): the practical requirements of the Dissertation and the assessment criteria; defining a research topic and designing a research question; organising your work on a large research project; identifying appropriate methodologies and/or theoretical approaches; good practice in research, including ethical considerations and academic integrity; sources of data; and strategies for independent learning.

Please note that workshop topics may be subject to change depending on developments in academic research and/or the interests of the class.

Module Aims, Objectives and Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you should be able to

• select a topic for your dissertation research and identify a relevant, clearly focussed and appropriate research question within that topic;
• understand how to develop a thesis around your research question;
• select a methodology and/or theoretical approach appropriate to your topic;
• pursue independent research on your chosen topic and organise your work effectively;
• search for existing literature and/or data related to your topic, as relevant to your discipline;
• identify ethical considerations relevant to your approach and your topic;
• understand academic integrity, and the requirements and assessment criteria of the MA Dissertation.

Additional Information

±«°ä³¢â€™sÌýAcademic Communication Centre runs academic writing workshops, essay writing courses, exam writing workshops, MA dissertation workshops, one-to-one tutorials, and daily drop-in sessions etc. The service is open to all students. Further resources are available on the module’s Moodle site.