You will need access to these resources:
- Blackboard virtual learning environment;
- Access to Library Information Services eResources via Athens;
- Access to external library catalogues and websites;
- Academic search engine (e.g. Google Scholar);
- Skype or teleconferencing and video or podcast technology.

These learning strategies will occupy your time:
- There will be a heavy emphasis on independent learning as a facilitator of research, using appropriate technologies.
- The learning materials on the VLE will include indicative subject 'keynotes' (including live and recorded lectures), guided reading and examples of research resources;
- The role of the tutor will be as a facilitator and advisor. The student is expected to manage his or her own research. The 20 hours contact time will usually be in the form of teleconferenced or telephoned meetings between the tutor and student, although face-to-face meetings may also be used when appropriate;
- The VLE will provide interaction between the tutor and student(s) and between students within a group through interactive forums.
Students will be encouraged to use this media where appropriate to develop discursive skills;
- The submission of the Dissertation and the viva voce examination may be carried out remotely using appropriate technology.

100% Coursework, consisting of 2 items:
A DISSERTATION length 20000 WORDS weighted at 90%
A VIVA VOCE EXAMINATION weighted at 10%
MASTERS DISSERTATION - The Masters Dissertation By Research must demonstrate that you can apply your specialist knowledge and work under supervision in a methodological way. The Masters Dissertation By Research will be an implementation of the Masters Research Proposal, which in turn builds on the specialist topic addressed in the Advanced Research module. The Masters Dissertation By Research report will normally consist of around 20,000 words in the Faculty's approved format, and may also include other deliverables, as agreed with the supervisor. The submission may be in electronic form will be via the VLE (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3).
VIVA VOCE EXAMINATION before a small panel of research staff from the Faculty, including the Supervisor, MRes Award Leader and a Second Assessor. It is expected that the examination will begin with a 30 minute audiovisual presentation of your work, using appropriate communications media. The presentation will be followed by a verbal examination, which will typically last for an hour. The purpose of the examination is to allow you to discuss your work in depth and to demonstrate that the work is your own (Learning Outcome 4).

The Masters Dissertation By Research extends and unifies the students understanding of the specialist focused research topic as developed through the Learning Contract in the Advanced Research module and defined formally in the Masters Research Proposal module. The Learning Contract may be further refined (if necessary) before commencing the Dissertation. The Dissertation involves a critical study of the historical background and recent developments in the chosen research area and will result in the development and validation of a practical component or artefact that may be a method or model, a specification, a design document, a software implementation or any other practical and usable deliverable. The production of this deliverable should involve an organised and 'engineered' approach or methodology that considers the ethical implications of the work and contains a substantial element of originality. It is expected that the deliverable will be validated and that the process by which it is produced will be evaluated critically and the scope for future research is considered.

Recommended texts:
Studying at a Distance: A Guide for Students (2nd Edn). Talbot, C.J. (2007) Open University Press. ISBN: 978-0335223695.

Doing Your Masters Dissertation. Hart, C. (2004) Sage Study Skills Series. ISBN: 978-0761942177.

Succeeding with you Master's Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook: A Step-by-step Guide. Biggam, J. (2008). Open University Press. ISBN: 978-0335227198.

Satisfactory progress on a Postgraduate Award in Computing or Technology. For students on the Masters by Research (MRes) in Computing this is the fifth and final module in the programme of study, the prior modules being:
Applied Research Methods (Distance Learning).
Secondary Research (Distance Learning).
Advanced Research (Distance Learning).
Masters Research Proposal (Distance Learning).
The Masters Dissertation by Research (Distance Learning) module is not usually available to students outside the MRes. Computing Science programme.

1) CARRY OUT A CRITICAL AND COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW IN THE RESEARCH DOMAIN(S) DEFINED IN A MASTERS RESEARCH PROPOSAL MODULE, DEMONSTRATING A CLEAR MASTERY OF THE RELEVANT LITERATURE AND EXEMPLARS IN THE CHOSEN RESEARCH TOPIC.
[Enquiry; Knowledge & Understanding; Reflection]

2) PRODUCE A RESEARCH DESIGN FOR A MASTERS LEVEL DISSERTATION SHOWING AN ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE OF THE RESEARCH FACTORS INVOLVED, AND FOLLOWING A RIGOROUS AND RATIONAL PROCESS OF EXAMINATION, SELECTION AND APPLICATION OF THE RESEARCH PARADIGM, METHODS AND TECHNIQUES.
[Analysis; Enquiry; Knowledge & Understanding]

3) CARRY OUT A DETAILED ANALYSIS OF A SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH PROBLEM OR HYPOTHESIS, AND PRODUCE AN ORIGINAL SOLUTION OR CONTRIBUTION TO THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE, AND WRITE UP THE RESULTS IN A FORM APPROPRIATE FOR A MASTERS LEVEL DISSERTATION.
[Application; Communication; Problem Solving; Reflection]

4) PRESENT THE FINDINGS OF THE DISSERTATION PROJECT USING APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND TO DISCUSS THE RESEARCH CRITICALLY.
[Communication; Knowledge & Understanding; Learning]