Module: Research Dissertation

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Dissertation
Module Code	PST1015 (ITS: NS5035)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	30

Description

The dissertation module supports the student undertaking research in an area related to psychotherapy. The student will follow through all aspect of the research process from inception of a research question to dissemination through the production of the dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify a psychotherapy related research question(s)
2. Select an appropriate research design to address specific research questions
3. Conduct a critical review and synthesis of research literature
4. Conduct a study using one methodology and its associated methods in depth
5. Present research findings in a readable well structured format

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Workshop	20	Lecture/group work focussing on topics relevant to undertaking psychotherapy research and writing a dissertation
Tutorial	5	Supervision (one to one / small group) with supervisor.
Independent Study	455	Conducting research and writing the dissertation
Total Workload: 480

Section Breakdown
CRN	11443	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Alice McEleney	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Extended Essay / Dissertation	8,000 word draft journal article	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

Research question to methodological approach
Decision making and justification

Critical reviewing of literature
Selecting literature for review, using literature in the dissertation

Methodologies explored
Specific quantitative and qualitative designs and methods being used by the students

How to write a journal article

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Bell, J.: 2014, Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science, Open University Press, Maidenhead, UK,
Gray, D. E.: 2022, Doing Research in the Real World, 5th, SAGE, London, UK,
Hart, C.: 2005, Doing your masters dissertation: Realizing your potential as a social scientist, SAGE, London; Thousand Oaks, CA,
Braun, V. & Clarke, C.: 2013, Successful Qualitative Research: A Practical Guide for Beginners, SAGE, London, UK,,
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B.: 2016, Research methods for the behavioral sciences, 5th, Cengage, Stamford CT, US,
Oliver, P.: 2004, Writing your thesis., Sage, London ; Thousand Oaks, CA,
Robert J. Sternberg: 2019, Guide to Publishing in Psychology Journals, Cambridge University Press, 287, 9781108419918
John McLeod: 2022, Doing Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Sage Publications Limited, 288, 9781526459497
Sofie Bager-Charleson,Alistair McBeath: 2023, Supporting Research in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Palgrave Macmillan, 0, 9783031139413

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None