Course textbooks to be supplied by the university.
Computer and internet for access to Blackboard and relevant websites.
Library, where you will find relevant electronic textbooks, electronic journals, and audio-visual materials.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment; details will be supplied in the module handbook.

The module incorporates two inter-related learning strategies. Although this module is very heavily focused on individual research, there will be individual on-line tutorial sessions, in which students will receive support and guidance in relation to their individual research (18 hours). Students will also receive formative feedback on drafts of their proposal and dissertation in the tutorials. Finally, the students will pursue independent study (582 hours), which will allow them to research and write their proposal and dissertation. The module will run over three semesters.

Structured research dissertation advice will be provided through the online handbook and in the learning units in Blackboard.
Appropriate supervision staff will be chosen in relation to your dissertation topic.
You will also receive formative feedback on drafts of their proposal and dissertation in the tutorials.
The module will run over three semesters.

You will apply the research skills and knowledge gained through the core and option modules to an independent piece of research. The work will focus on a Development Policy and Practice-based topic chosen by the student and undertaken through independent study of extant literature and, in many cases, through primary social research. The research may draw on the practical and work-related experiences of the researcher.

You will define the research problem and objectives, formulate a research design, apply for ethical approval, organise your research activity, review the extant literature relevant to the chosen topic, analyse materials and produce a proposal and the written dissertation. This process will be supported by the on-line tutorial sessions referred to above.

A Dissertation length 15000 words, weighted at 100%. [Learning Outcomes 1-6]

A dissertation proposal length 2000 words weighted at 0% and not formally assessed must be completed and approved by the dissertation tutor before a dissertation supervisor will be assigned.

Biggam, J. (2008) Succeeding With Your Master's Dissertation : A Step-by-Step Handbook, Open University Press
Burnett, J. (2009) Doing Your Social Science Dissertation, Sage
Desai, Vandana & Potter Rob (2006) Doing Development Research, Sage Publications
Neuman W. Lawrence, (2006) 'Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches', 6th edition, Allyn & Bacon
McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2010) How To Write Dissertations and Project Reports, Prentice Hall
Thomas Alan, Mohan Giles (2007) Research Skills for Policy and Development, Sage Publications Walliman, N. (2011) Your Research Project, 3rd edition, Sage.