IS41110 Thesis (30 Credits)

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module is worth 30 credits and is a required component for the MSc HCI and MSc Digital Policy, and an option for the MSc Communication & Media. For MLIS students, this module may be taken as an alternative to IS40720 Capstone, which is the default option for this programme.

In this module, students will complete a thesis project, focusing on a specific research problem and/or specialism relevant to a member of staff's interests. Students will be able to approach members of the School's academic staff, whom they wish to supervise their thesis.

This module allows students to develop research skills and apply them to a specific research problem relevant to a chosen topic, from both theoretical and practice perspectives. The precise type of thesis project undertaken will be agreed between student and supervisor. Projects may involve pairs or groups, depending on the nature of the project. Generally, an individual thesis may only be completed by special arrangement with a supervisor.

Show/hide contentOpenClose All

Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Identify a specific research problem
2. Articulate research questions
3. Evaluate alternative methods for answering specific research questions
4. Identify, retrieve and evaluate research findings in the published literature
5. Manage the results of a literature review and incorporate them in a thesis using an appropriate bibliographic style (APA)
6. Design a research project with justification for methodology/approach
7. Create a time-line and apply it to their own research
8. Use appropriate analysis and data collection tools
9. Critically discuss the findings of the thesis work
10. Create a poster presentation of their research.
11. Write, edit and proof-read a thesis.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

625

Total

625

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students work with individual supervisors during the year to select and develop a Thesis topic, apply for ethical exemption or review, and complete the module assignments. Meetings with the supervisor are arranged privately, and may take place on a face-to-face or virtual basis. Students may spend time off-campus carrying out fieldwork. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Reflective Essay Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

20

Presentation: Poster presentation Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

Project: Thesis report Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

50


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

For the Poster Presentation in May, students/student pairs or groups receive a feedback form, with individually graded components, additional constructive comments and a final grade. The forms are emailed to students within 20 working days of the presentation, and are graded by both the thesis supervisor and a second reader. For the Thesis Reports, students/student pairs or groups also receive feedback forms with individually graded components, additional constructive comments and a final grade. Feedback forms are emailed to students within 20 working days of the submission date. Thesis reports are graded by both thesis supervisor and a second reader. For the reflective essay, students receive an individual feedback form by email. Students/student pairs are entitled to formative feedback on one full draft of their Thesis report. Individual supervisors may provide additional feedback as they choose.