DISSERTATION PROPOSAL

Year	No.	Offer	Mode	Description			Cred. Pts
96	55005 	S1  	X 	DISSERTATION PROPOSAL     	1.00

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Recommended References
• Student Workload
• Assessment Details
• Other Requirements

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

A working knowledge of research design and data analysis is an essential prerequisite for a quality research proposal and thus for a Masters Dissertion. The quality of a proposal will be much enhanced by having students undergo a structured programme which includes presentation, discussion and exchange of ideas.

SYNOPSIS:

This  unit  aims  (1)  to consolidate the student's  understanding  of
method  as was presented in Research Methodology A, and (2) to  assist
students in their preparation of a research proposal.

OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this unit, students will have:

1. successfully developed and written a research proposal for their dissertation;
2. finalised negotiation for supervision of their dissertation;
3. the basic knowledge for writing their dissertation.
4. an awareness of a range of qualitative and quantitative tools available for data analysis.

TOPICS:

 Description                                                    Weighting(%)

Writing a Dissertation Proposal                                       90.00
presenting a proposal
Dissertation writing/structures

Qualitative and Quantitative Tools                                    10.00

TEXT and MATERIALS to be PURCHASED:

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Coley, S. M. and Scheinberg, C. A., 1990, 'Proposal Writing', Newbury:
Sage Publications.

Ewing, D. W., 1979, 'Writing for Results', 2nd edn, New York: John
Wiley and Sons.

Leedy, P. D., 'Practical Research: Planning and Design', 4th edn,
N.W.: Macmillan Publishing Co.

Lefferts, R., 1990, 'Getting a Grant in the 1990s', NY: Prentice-Hall
Inc.

Lester, J. D., 1984, 'Writing a Research Paper', 4th edn, Dallas:
Scott, Foresman and Co.

Locke, L. F., Spirduso, W. W. and Silverman, S. J., 1987, 'Proposals
that Work', Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 2nd edn.

Reed, J. G. and Baxter, P. M., 1983, 'Library Use: A Handbook for
Psychology', Washing DC: Americal Psychological Association.

Sieber, J. E., 1992, 'Planning Ethically Responsible Research',
Newbury: Sage Publications.

Tornquist, E. M., 1986, 'From Proposal to Publication', Reading, Mass:
Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.

William, J. M., 1991, 'Style: Toward Clarity and Grace', Chicago: The
University of Chicago Press.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

	ACTIVITY				HOURS
Residential School                            	10
Directed Study                                	20
Private Study                                 	75
Assessments                                   	65

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

No	*F/S	Marks		Due		Description					Wtg(%)		LBL
1 	M 	        	        	RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL PRESENTATION         	20.00   	
2 	M 	        	        	DISSERTATION PROPOSAL                   	80.00   	

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1       To obtain a pass in the unit, students must perform
        satisfactorily in overall assignment work and the examination.
2       The due date of an assignment is the date by which a student
        must despatch the assignment to the University, and is
        normally that defined in the relevant unit specification. The
        onus is on the student to provide, if requested, proof of date
        of despatch.
3       Students should organise their affairs to ensure that they
        meet due dates for all assignments. Extensions will be granted
        only under exceptional extenuating circumstances, normally
        involving a significant medical condition.
4       Students may apply for an assignment extension either by
        application through DEC before the due date or by including
        application with the submitted assignment after the due date.
        Such applications should be in writing and include supporting
        documentary evidence.The authority for granting extensions
        rests with the relevant Unit Leader.
5       All assignments despatched after due dates without appropriate
        extension approvals or after approved extension dates will be
        penalised up to a maximum of 20% of the assigned mark per work
        day.
6       Students must retain a copy of all assignments which must be
        provided if/when required by the Unit Leader.
7       Unit weightings of topics should not be interpreted as
        applying to the number of marks allocated to questions testing
        those topics in an examination paper.
8       Students must perform at a commensurate grade level in all
        pieces of assessment to achieve a particular grade.