Module Code - Title:
PT6072
-
THESIS PROPOSAL PREPARATION
Year Last Offered:
2024/5
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
PF
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
Students undertaking theses as part of Masters' programmes regularly do not engage with the research process at an early enough stage. This can often result in a poor thesis. To engage students earlier a pass/fail module leading to a thesis proposal is being created.
The purpose of the module is:
1. To provide students with an understanding of the primary issues and decision stages involved in the completion of a research dissertation.
2. To provide students with the theory and its application of the various research philosophies, and research methods.
3. To develop a set of research skills including developing research question, sourcing information, analysis and interpretation skills project management.
Syllabus:
Research and research skills, choosing a thesis topic, developing a research question.
Literature reviews, conceptual frameworks and theoretical frameworks: functions and distinctions.
Finding information and staying current, initiating a literature review, how to read literature effectively, performing a systematic literature review.
Research Methods, Research Onion, Common Methods in Biases in Behavioural Research, Epistemology and Ontology in Social Science Research, Objectivity in Educational Research, Understanding 21st Century Qualitative Research, Qualitative vs. Quantitative, Skills Needed For Mixed Methods Research, Methods for the Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Research in Systematic Reviews.
Ethics issues in research, Thesis proposal templates.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this component of the programme students will be able to:
1. Explain the primary issues and decision stages involved in the completion of a research dissertation.
2. Conduct analysis of the secondary literature;
3. Identify a research gap and frame a research question;
4. Choose a methodology appropriate to the research;
5. Demonstrate a set of research skills including developing research question, sourcing information, analysis, interpretation, and project management.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this component of the programme students will be able to:
1. Develop and/or demonstrate self motivation.
2. Develop and/or demonstrate competencies in time management and project management.
3. Reflect on personal learning outcomes resulting from a self-directed inquiry involving implementation of research from inception to execution.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will be taught research skills and methodologies through a series of online session with the Thesis Coordinator.
The applied research project supports the development of the following graduate attributes:
KNOWLEDGEABLE: Students develop knowledge of research methods and how to identify a research gap.
PROACTIVE: Students make active use of data and research to identify a research question, and in doing so develop confidence in managing a large, lengthy project they designed themselves with guidance from a supervisor.
CREATIVE: Students develop their own research question, which requires them to integrate existing knowledge in a new way.
RESPONSIBLE: Students manage their own thesis proposal, including submitting their research question and method to external scrutiny for ethical considerations.
ARTICULATE: Students develop the ability to communicate challenging, academic concepts in a written document.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Saunders, M., Thornhill, A and Lewis, P (2011)
Research Methods
, Pearson Publishers, UK
Creswell, J (2013)
Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Approaches
, SAGE Publications, Inc; 4th edition
Ackerson, L. (2006)
Literature Search Strategies for Interdisciplinary Research: A Sourcebook For Scientists and Engineers,
, Scarecrow Press
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MSSCOPTPB - SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Summer
Module Leader:
ingrid.hunt@ul.ie