Module: Dissertation / Major Project (by practice)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Dissertation / Major Project (by practice)
Module Code	MCO1060 (ITS: CM5994)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

The aim of this module is to enable students to develop an understanding and obtain practical experience of the research process and research skills required to undertake a supervised research project. Students will be required to identify relevant information on a topic, critically review the research of others, and generate their own research findings. By the end of the module, students will be able to plan, organise and deliver a successful research-based thesis.

Learning Outcomes

1. Undertake an extended, systematically developed research project
2. Work independently under the supervision of a tutor
3. Collect, sort and critically discuss theories and studies based on a literature review
4. Select and apply a suitable research methodology
5. Present findings and discuss them under the light of appropriate theories and previous relevant research

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	14	No Description
Lecture	8	No Description
Independent Study	603	No Description
Total Workload: 625

Section Breakdown
CRN	11694	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	Tetyana Lokot	Module Teacher	Alessio Cornia

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Thesis	A 15-20,000 word research project on a topic selected by the student and discussed with the lecturer/supervisor	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

How to choose the dissertation topic

How to address a research gap and refine research questions

How to structure a dissertation

The ethics process

Key information on the supervision process

Workshops where student's first ideas on topics, methods, literature and other relevant issues are discussed

Academic writing workshop

Methods and research design workshop

Indicative Reading List

Books:

: 2014, Researching Social Media, Sage, London,
Singh AA and Lukkarila L: 2017, Successful Academic Writing: A complete Guide for Social and Behavioral Scientists, The Guilford Press, New York and London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None