Module: Research Module

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Module
Module Code	PHE1029 (ITS: TP500)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

The Research Module provides an introduction to writing essay assignments, major papers and a dissertation at Taught MA level. It seeks to provide all necessary information, practical assistance and technical skills to students for the successful completion of the relevant assignments. The minor thesis provides course participants with the opportunity to demonstrate an active and creative interaction between theory and practice in their particular discipline (when examining a particular issue - whether a general public concern or relevant to their respective profession). It also gives them the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills and competence in the area of ethical analysis, decision-making and application. An ethics thesis should address the following: 1. normative ethics OR 2. Meta-ethical question OR 3. Key ethical text or thinker OR 4. Applied/practical ethics. The thesis normally includes a descriptive outline of an ethical issue (or empirically-based) and an examination of the same from a normative perspective.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and skills in research and writing, in conducting research and managing and completing written assignments and a minor thesis;
2. Demonstrate in a minor thesis a systematic understanding and analysis of a chosen issue or question informed by reliable and valid sources that are at the forefront of their academic field;
3. Display a critical awareness of a contemporary public and/or professional ethical concern together with new ethical insights developed, argued and advanced;
4. Formulate a research question; select from a range of research methodologies that facilitate a theoretical and/or an applied approach to a relevant issue;
5. Apply a research methodology appropriate to investigating the research question and to give evidence of a sustained analysis, critical engagement and appropriate academic register in a minor thesis;
6. Apply and appraise various frameworks for dealing with a particular theoretical or practical issue;

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	11729	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	Bradford Anderson	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	The word limit for the thesis is 15,000 words (excl. bibliography). The thesis submission timeline can be found on the PG Calendar of Key Dates. Students should also consult the Guidelines for Supervisors and Students concerning a Minor Research Thesis within the Institute's Taught Masters' Programmes on My MDI.	100%	See Calendar

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

TP500: Research Saturday 1: Academic Writing at Level 9
A) The Art of Academic Writing B) Minor Thesis Process C0 Research Ethics

TP500: Research Saturday 1: Thesis Methodology
Philosophical and Ethical Research Methodologies

Minor Thesis Seminar

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Haffner, Paul: 1996, A Methodology for Term Papers and Theses, Gracewing, Leominster, 0 85244 381 1
Fowler, Alisdair: 2007, How to Write, Oxford University Press, Oxford,
Lee, Anne: 2011, Successful Research Supervision: Advising Students Doing Research, Routledge, London, 200, 978-0-415-66353-3
Manser, Martin & Curtis, Stephen: 2002, The Penguin Writer's Manual, Penguin, London,
Oliver, Paul: 2008, The Student's Guide to Research Ethics, Reprint, Open University Press, Philadephia,
Penslar, Robin L. (ed.): 1995, Research Ethics: Cases and Materials, Indiana University Press, Bloomington,
Trask, R.L.: 2001, Mind the Gaffe: The Penguin Guide to Common Errors in English, Penguin, London,
Truss, Lynne: 2003, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Guide to Punctuation, Profile Books, London,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Website, Mater Dei Institute of Education, Research Ethics Guide,