Module: Dissertation

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Dissertation
Module Code	EDU1116 (ITS: ES511)
Faculty	STEM Ed, Innov, Global Studies	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

Participant will have the opportunity to engage, in some depth, with an issue of professional or intellectual interest. In carrying out the dissertation research, participants will have the opportunity to read extensively, but with focus, and to develop new understandings in a particular area.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop a research question.
2. Choose an appropriate methodology relevant to the research topic.
3. Produce research that evaluates and synthesises materials drawn from a range of sources.
4. Collect data using appropriate research methods
5. Carry out analysis and draw conclusions from the research
6. Where appropriate, present the application of findings and arguments in a reflective manner to the improvement of educational practice.
7. Demonstate originality through the exercise of independent critical and creative thinking.
8. Communicate the research using appropriate forms of representation
9. Present dissertation research to peer group and tutors, makings use of appropriate forms of presentation and skills of communication.
10. Evaluate own performance against listed assessment criteria for the dissertation.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	12	supervision
Seminars	6	workshop sessions during dissertation
Independent Study	2	library workshop
Group work	12	study groups meet during dissertation
Independent Study	155	own research work
Total Workload: 187

Section Breakdown
CRN	10560	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale		Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category		Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Margaret Farren	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Research.
Research question. Carrying out research using appropriate methodology and methods.

Time Management.
Working to timelines. Working with supervisor.

Literature Review.
Carrying out a literature review.

Writing up research.
Organisation. Structure. Ethics. Presentation of writing.

Presentation of research.
Oral presentation of research. Self-assessment.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Burton, N. et al.: 2008, Doing your Education Research Project, Sage Publications,
Cohen, L.: 2007, Research Methods in Education, Routledge,
Creswell, J.: 2008, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches,
Denscombe, M: 2010, The Good Research Guide: for small-scale social research projects, Open University Press,
Dadds, M. and Hart, S.: 2001, Doing Practitioner Research Differently, Routledge,
Farren, M., Whitehead, J. & Bognar, B.: 2011, Action Research in the Educational Workplace, 1st, Academica Press, USA,
McNiff, J. and Whitehead. J: 2006, All you Need to Know about Action Research, Sage.,
Whitehead, J. & McNiff, J.: 2006, Action Research: Living Theory, Sage Publications,
Ridley, D.: 2008, The Literature Review, Sage.,
Newby, Peter: 2009, Research Methods for Education, Longman,
Quinlan, C.: 2011, Business Research Methods, 1st, Cengage Learning EMEA,
Wolcott, H.: 2008, Ethnography: A Way of Seeing, AltaMira Press,
Yin, R: 2008, Case Study Research, Sage.,
Wolcott, H: 2009, Writing Up Qualitative Research, Sage Publications,
Somekh, B.: 2005, Action Research: a methodology for change and development (Doing Qualitative Research in Educational Settings), Open University Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None