The project is an extended piece of scholarship in which you have the opportunity to study in some depth a topic of your own choosing, in partnership with a relevant staff member who is able to supervise this topic. The topic will integrate the knowledge and skills that you have attained whilst on the course. While some learners may prefer to follow the traditional Masters route by working on a dissertation, others may wish to include a practical element. The practical element, which will constitute 40% of the overall mark, must consist of an original solution to a communication problem that is cognizant of the needs of audiences and stakeholders. Your practical project will be supported by a reflective report in which you will evaluate the communication processes of the practical element on the basis of relevant theories. You will be guided in your choice by your Masters Project tutor for the process of preparing your research proposal on the basis of which we approve your Masters Project. We will also introduce you to research and evaluation methods as a formal part of your Masters programme through a programme of on-line lectures and associated reading.

You will work independently and have access to a supervisor, or a supervisory team, who will aid you in planning your progress. This will amount to a maximum of 18 hours contact time. In the DL model contact means, through e-mail, telephone conversations and other means.
Structured research project advice will be provided through the online handbook.
Appropriate supervision staff will be chosen in relation to your project topic.
You will also receive formative feedback on drafts of their proposal and dissertation in the tutorials.
The module will run over three semesters.

The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module.
Details will be supplied in the module handbook.
You will have access to customised social networking tools provided by Ning.

A DISSERTATION length 15000 WORDS weighted at 100%.
OR
A COMMUNICATION PROJECT (equivalent to) 7500 WORDS weighted at 40% supported by a REFLECTIVE REPORT 7500 WORDS (weighted at 60%) evaluating the theory and communication processes of the practical element.

A project proposal length 2000 WORDS weighted at 0% (students must pass the proposal before proceeding with research.)

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, V. & Potter, R. (2006) Doing Development Research. London: Sage Publication.
Fahy, F. & Rau, H. (2013) Methods of Sustainability Research in the Social Science. London: Sage Publications
Franklin, A. & Blyton, P. (2011) Researching Sustainability: A Guide to Social Science Methods, Practice and Engagement. London Routledge (Earthscan).
Hearn, Gregory N., Tacchi, Jo A., Foth, Marcus, & Lennie, June (2009) Action Research and New Media: Concepts, Methods and Cases. Hampton Press, Cresskill, NJ.
McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2010) How To Write Dissertations and Project Reports, Prentice Hall
Sumner, A. & Ribe, M. (2008) International Development Studies: Theories and Methods in Research and Practice. London, Sage Publications.
Walliman, N. (2011) Your Research Project, 3rd edition, Sage