Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM876: Dissertation Skills

This module descriptor refers to the 2020/1 academic year.

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

1. Elements of a research proposal

2. Devising a research question

3. Planning and writing a literature review

4. Deciding on your approach/methodology

5. Workshopping your ideas

6. Refining the proposal

7. The writing process

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
14	136	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	14	7 x 2 hour lectures
Guided independent study	40	reading in preparation for the lectures
Guided independent study	16	web-based research
Guided independent study	80	writing of research proposal and literature review

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).