PLM4P-Dissertation

Module Provider: Clinical Language Sciences
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites: PL3RES Research Methods
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Dr Christos Pliatsikas
Email: c.pliatsikas@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aims of this module are to provide the students with an understanding and working knowledge of research methods, project design and management, and data analysis. Students apply this knowledge to the planning, execution and writing up of a dissertation.

The dissertation allows students to complete an independent research project in a chosen area of Speech and Language Therapy, Cognitive and Language Sciences. Students undertake a project with support from an assigned dissertation supervisor. The outcome of the research project is written up as the student’s dissertation.

Aims:

The aim of this module is to develop high-level skills in critical evaluation and understanding of current research issues and methodologies within the chosen field of the dissertation project.  

This is achieved through the design, planning and implementation of an independent research project, submitted as a written dissertation of 8,000 words.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that a student will have a detailed knowledge of the topic of the dissertation and will be able to:

1. Knowledge & Understanding: demonstrate depth of knowledge in a specialized area with theoretical and/or clinical implications. Able to work at the limits of theoretical / research understanding.


2. Analysis: selecting and completing appropriate analysis of data, able to deal with complexity or contradictions in the knowledge base and in their own data set. 


3. Scholarship: mature use of scientific writing style, correct referencing for evidence based statements, write a fluent and clearly structured argument with professional presentation of data, 


4. Independence: autonomy in synthesizing information, problem solving in new or unexpected situations, evaluating own and other’s work.


5. Critical skills: accurately reflect on own and other’s work, evaluate and argue alternative approaches, able to work at the limits of theoretical / research understanding.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Dissertation research areas and approaches are wide-ranging, and cover all areas of speech and language therapy, cognitive and language sciences (i.e. topics covered in taught components of the course in Parts 1, 2 and 3).

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

• Individual supervision with the assigned project supervisor. 


• Optional drop in sessions for support with data analysis (usually provided by lab demonstrators in the School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences).

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	7	7
Guided independent study:	193	193
Total hours by term	200	200	0
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A dissertation of 8000 words (please see the dissertation handbook for specific details on wordcount).

Formative assessment methods:

Students submit a draft of their dissertation in Spring term and receive structured feedback from their supervisor.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy “Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes”, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 50% for the dissertation/overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-submission of dissertation.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: 


2. Specialist equipment or materials: 


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 


4. Printing and binding: 


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: 


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 30 March 2023