Module: Thesis

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Thesis
Module Code	ISE1025 (ITS: SI803)
Faculty	DCU Institute of Education	School	Inclusive & Special Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

This module requires the student to submit thesis (maximum 20,000 words) on an approved topic relating to an aspect of special or inclusive education. Supported by face to face and online lectures, workshops, the provision of material on the VLE students and regular tutorials with a thesis supervisor, students will identify outline a research topic, write a literature review leading to a refined research focus and purpose, prepare a thesis proposal, apply for and secure ethical approval leading to the design, conduct and reporting of a small scale research study relating to inclusive or special education.

Learning Outcomes

1. Formulate and provide a comprehensive rationale for a viable research question or statement.
2. Write a clear and coherent proposal for a master’s thesis.
3. Create a coherent ethics application that synthesises input from across a range of ethical frameworks while demonstrating the ability to conduct ethically sound educational research in the domain of inclusive and special education.
4. Identify and review a relevant body of literature critically analysing and synthesizing the key evidence and concepts therein to inform the design of an original research project.
5. Present a comprehensive and coherent report of the research design and procedures which demonstrates sound understanding of core ethical principles in education research, identifying ethical issues pertinent to their research and outlining with clarity how these are addressed.
6. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding and mastery of the skills, concepts and strategies and their underlying assumptions used in the presentation and analysis of data/evidence/findings.
7. Critically reflect on the research process drawing appropriate and relevant conclusions.
8. Present a sustained, comprehensive, well-written and well-argued written account of their research.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	30	No Description
Assignment Completion	710	Thesis completion, including data collection and analysis
Tutorial	10	Supervisory feedback meetings
Total Workload: 750

Section Breakdown
CRN	10841	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Rosemary Savage	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	- Design, conduct and report on thesis research (20 000 words)	100%	n/a

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

Indicative Content
- Introduction to Thesis; - Academic Writing; - Library Session; - Literature Review; - Ethics and Integrity; - Research Ethics; - Research Design; - Writing a thesis proposal; - Research Ethics Workshop; - Methodology; - Presentation and Analysis of Findings; - Context and Conclusions. Thesis conventions and presentation Dissemination

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K: 2011, Research methods in education, 7th,
Blair, J., Czaja, R.F. & Blair, E.A.: 2014, Designing surveys: A guide to decisions and procedures,
Denscombe, M.: 2010, The Good Research Guide, 4th,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Website, Sage Research Methods Website,