Aim: To enable students to explore a subject of their own choice, and to introduce appropriate empirical research techniques.

Criteria for the selection of topics: In general, dissertations should enable students to show their ability to analyse, expound and evaluate a chosen topic, and to give evidence of creative judgement and application.

The topic selected must:
enable a student to draw upon the particular skills gained in previous years of study.
be related to subject matter studied during the programme, and proposals must show that there is a reliable body of knowledge on which it is able to draw.
have a demonstrable relationship to the knowledge and skills appropriate to the future projected work of the student.

Before accepting a proposal the staff concerned must be convinced that the student has access to relevant resources, e.g. literature or languages. The scope of the selected topic must be such that it is appropriate to the prescribed length of the dissertation.

Students will receive teaching on the process of writing a dissertation and an introduction to appropriate quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Students will be allocated a supervisor according to the chosen subject of their work. As a guideline students will normally receive approximately 3 hours supervision face to face, and further email and telephone support as necessary.

On-site library and internet access to Staffordshire University Library
PCs providing access to e-mail, the internet, word processing, etc.
Rooms with access for disabled students, and suitable for group worship.

Bell, J (2005), Doing your research project: A guide for first time researchers in Education, health and social science, Maidenhead, Open University Press
Bryman, A. (2004) Social Research Methods, Oxford, Oxford University Press
Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills Handbook, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, Chapter 10 `Critical Analytical Thinking.'
Fairbairn, J. and Winch, C. (2000) Reading, Writing and Reasoning, Open University Press, Buckingham
Soccio, J.D (1998) How to get the most out of philosophy, Belmont Grove, Wadsworth
Thompson, A. (1996) Critical Reasoning: a practical introduction, London: Routledge

All candidates for a degree may submit a dissertation, which will be no more than 8,000 words in length excluding bibliographies and appendices, on a topic approved by OYWMC staff.

Dissertations must be submitted in accordance with the requirements laid down in the student handbook.