LSMTTP-Full Dissertation Proposal

Module Provider: English Language and Applied Linguistics
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Prof Parvaneh Tavakoli
Email: p.tavakoli@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aims of this module are to help students formulate research questions, construct a methodology, suggest analyses and outline outcomes of their dissertation research. Through reflection and feedback, they will learn to design a viable and valid piece of research. They will learn the writing skills to produce a coherent research proposal.

Aims:

The aims of this module are to help students formulate research questions, construct a methodology, suggest analyses and outline outcomes of their dissertation research. Through reflection and feedback, they will learn to design a viable and valid piece of research. They will learn the writing skills to produce a coherent research proposal.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Outline the different types of research designs used and articulate the reasons why different designs are used to test different hypotheses;


• Identify and evaluate the various stages of the research process both from the perspective of a critical reader as well as a researcher;


• Organise and use this knowledge in the process of designing a research proposal providing justifications and rationales where appropriate.


• Identify and respond to the relevant ethical considerations, where appropriate, in their proposed research.

Additional outcomes:

In acquiring drafting skills, students will gain a broader understanding of how to conduct research in linguistics and applied linguistics. An essential part of the process is the feedback provided by the lecturer at different stages in the writing of the proposal. Students will develop their bibliographic and IT skills through writing up the research proposal and will develop their academic writing skills. They will be provided with the knowledge to become critical consumers of the research literature. They will learn the writing skills to produce a coherent research proposal on which their dissertation will be based.

Outline content:

The course focuses on broader issues surrounding research methods and design. Basic research methods and designs are reviewed and consideration is given to their applications across different contexts. Data collection, organisation and analysis, both qualitative and quantitative, are explored. Ethical issues in planning and conducting a research project are discussed. The entire research process from the development of a topic to writing the report is explored.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be 5 seminars totalling 10 hours over the 10 weeks. Students will bring and present drafts of their work for discussion with the lecturer and the other students.

Contact hours:

Ìý	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars		10
Guided independent study:	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Ìý Ìý Wider reading (independent)		60
Ìý Ìý Wider reading (directed)		60
Ìý Ìý Preparation for seminars		50
Ìý Ìý Preparation for performance		20
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Ìý	Ìý	Ìý	Ìý
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Course work

Students will be required to submit a 3000-word research proposal on some aspect of linguistic or applied linguistic research by the first day of the summer term.

Formative assessment methods:

Feedback is given on student presentations.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy 'Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes', which can be found here: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of at least 50% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination by coursework to be submitted by 1st August.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:Ìý None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:Ìý None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:Ìý None

4) Printing and binding:Ìý None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:Ìý None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:Ìý None

Last updated: 30 March 2023