Module: Thesis

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Thesis
Module Code	ISE1036
Faculty	Inclusive & Special Education	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	20

Description

This module requires the student to submit a 15,000 word thesis 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, and regular tutorials with a thesis supervisor, students will identify 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 report of a small scale research study relating to inclusive or special education.

Learning Outcomes

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	20	Attendance at lectures (blended delivery)
Tutorial	8	Working with a supervisor
Assignment Completion	200	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
Independent Study	272	Reading and self-directed study
Total Workload: 500

Section Breakdown
CRN	11975	Part of Term	Semester 1, 2 & 3
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Rosemary Savage	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Thesis	Submission of 15,000 word thesis reporting on student's own small scale research.	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., Mannion., L and Morisson, K: 2017, , Research Methods in Education, Routledge, Oxfordshire,
Mertens, R.: 2019, Research and Evaluation in Education and Psychology Integrating Diversity With Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Methods, 5th Ed, Sage Thousand Oaks, California,
Bryman, A: 2016, Social Research Methods, 5th, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
Colin Robson: 2024, Real World Research, 5th, John Wiley & Sons, 708, 1119523605
Virginia Braun,Victoria Clarke: 2013, Successful Qualitative Research, 1st, SAGE Publications Limited, 400, 1847875823
Virginia Braun,Victoria Clarke: 2021, Thematic Analysis, 1st, Sage Publications Limited, 376, 1473953243
Paul Connolly: 2007, Quantitative Data Analysis in Education, 1st, Psychology Press, 268, 0415372976

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None