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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Dissertation 1 - Research Methods for Comms & Media
Module Code CM3009 (ITS) / MCO1031 (Banner)
Faculty Humanities & Social Sciences School Communications
Module Co-ordinatorJim Rogers
Module TeachersAileen O'Driscoll, Eileen Culloty
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
None
Description

This module prepares students to devise and complete an independent academic project. Students learn the basics research skills and methods required for undertaking a piece of research, and they work on drafting a solid and succinct research proposal.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply the knowledge acquired over the duration of the BA programme to develop a research project proposal
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the literature relevant to the research topic
3. Develop distinct research methods appropriate to particular research topics
4. Discern the ethical issues involved in the project and act accordingly



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture22Weekly sessions
Independent Study40Research and reading
Assessment Feedback3One-to-one feedback on proposal; Meeting with module lecturer/s
Assignment Completion60Developing a research proposal
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Elements of a Research Project
Elements of a Research Project Research Project Preparation Conducting a Literature Review Choosing an Appropriate Methodology

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
AssignmentDevelop a research proposal (and attendance & participation)100%Week 12
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Babbie, E.: 2010, The practice of social research, 12th, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth,
  • Bazeley, P.: 2013, Qualitative Data Analysis: Practical Strategies, Los Angeles: SAGE,
  • Bell, J.: 2005, Doing Your Research Project: a guide for first time researchers in education, health and social science, Open University Press,
  • Booth, W.C., Colomb, G.G., and Williams, J.M.: 2008, The craft of research, 3rd, Chicago: University of Chicago Press,
  • Crano, W.D. & Brewer, M.B.: 2002, Principles and Methods of Social Research, 2nd, LEA Publishers,
  • Deacan, D., Pickering, M., Golding, P., and Murdoch, G.: 2014, Researching communications: a practical guide to methods in media and cultural analysis, 2nd, London: Bloomsbury Academic,
  • Neuman, W.L.: 2014, Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 7th, Pearson,
Other Resources

None

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