Module: Dissertation 2 and Research Tutorials

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Dissertation 2 and Research Tutorials
Module Code	EC407
School	77
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Sinead McNally Semester 2: Sinead McNally Autumn: Sinead McNally
Module Teachers	Marlene McCormack Geraldine French Sinead McNally Grainne McKenna Sandra O'Neill
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Repeat examination
Resubmit Thesis and oral exam if necessary

Description

This module will support students in carrying out the research project planned in Dissertation 1. Students will meet with their supervisor in a small-group session (up to 10 students) once a week. The aim of this module is to ensure that students start, advance and complete their dissertation work. The final report will be due before Easter of their final year. Students will draw up a timetable to guide their work. The various stages of the research will be pre-empted by discussions at the seminars and key issues related to each stage will be addressed. Students will raise issues and report on their progress periodically. Ethical dilemmas will be discussed along with issues related to access, data collection and analysis and the presentation of findings. Students will be given individual guidance and feedback during their research seminars.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the rationale for the research study
2. Draw up a timetable in order to ensure completion of a research study within a finite period
3. Carry out a literature review and locate the study within the available literature
4. Justify the selection of a particular research methodology and specific methods with reference to the research question and collect data related to that question
5. Manage ethical dilemmas that arise in the course of the study.
6. Distil findings, present them clearly and convincingly and draw appropriate conclusions from the findings

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Tutorial	22	2 hours per week during semester 2
Fieldwork	353	Students must plan and implement data collection, analyse data collected and write up a dissertation of 8,000 words. Based on ECTS calculations this is 375 hours minus tutotial time of 22 hours i.e. 353 hours.
Total Workload: 375

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

1
• The format of a research report

2
• The research timetable

3
• The importance of your question

4
• Reading and writing for the literature review

5
• Carrying out fieldwork

6
• Ethical awareness

7
• Analysing the data

8
• Presenting the findings and discussion of these

9
• Hazards: e.g. Plagiarism, Referencing, Record keeping

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Exhibition Evaluation	8, 000 Words - Beginning April Final Semester	90%	Sem 2 End
Participation	This is self-assessed. Students must submit a research journal documenting and reflecting on participation (attendance at tutorials, reading, writing, data collection issues).	10%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Guy Roberts-Holmes: 2011, Doing Your Early Years Research Project, 2nd, 10, Sage Publications Ltd, London, 1849205205
Guerin, S., Hayes, N. & McNally, S.: 2018, Research and Evaluation in Community, Health and Social Care Settings: Experiences from Practice, Routledge, London, 978-113830827
Palaiologou, I.: 2016, Child Observation: A guide for Students of Early Childhood (3rd Edition), London: Learning Matters, an Imprint of SAGE Publications Ltd., 3rd, Learning Matters, an Imprint of SAGE Publications Ltd., London, 978-147395240
Mukherji, P. & Albon, D.: 2018, Research Methods in Early Childhood: An Introductory Guide, 3rd, Sage, 9781526423719

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

BECE	Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

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