Dissertation

Students work with the support of a series of workshop sessions available either on campus or by elearning, and with the support of a personal dissertation supervisor. These will support the student to continue to develop their academic skills to produce a substantial piece of academic work, addressing a complex area of knowledge. Students will clarify their objectives for undertaking a literature review that evaluates the evidence and makes relevant recommendations for future research, and or clinical practice, and or professional development in their chosen area.

The module promotes independent study and learning. The student will identify the focus of their literature review and will be supported to develop their work by the use of elearning materials, workshop sessions and module supervision. The workshop sessions will encourage students to discuss how they will be identifying sources of evidence using a structured literature search, the need for critical reading, appraisal, evaluation and analysis to review the evidence, plus writing and presentation skills required to develop a structured argument in a literature review. The student with the help of their supervisor will identify and refine the focus of the review and discuss the evidence related to the chosen topic.

The student will produce a substantial piece of academic work, addressing a complex area of knowledge. They will clarify their objectives for undertaking a literature review that evaluates the evidence and makes relevant recommendations for future research, and or clinical practice, and or professional development in the chosen area.

Within their literature review a successful student will be demonstrating their ability to plan, develop and carry out a substantial piece of work related to the focus of their degree. This is achieved by identifying, selecting and critiquing appropriate literature and data. The evidence identified will be critically analysed, evaluated and presented as a structured, logical argument that shows understanding of the concepts and the ability to make sound judgements. The succinctly summarised and presented evidence must support the conclusions drawn and identify recommendations for future research and or clinical practice and or professional development.