Access to IT Laboratories with the following software: word-processing, Internet access, SPSS and
accessibility software such as Natural Reader and related packages for disabled students.
Access to video equipment and tape recorders, and other equipment as required by the methodology
employed.
The Library
Access to these resources must be suitable for disabled students.
BSA and University Ethical Guidelines
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

The dissertation will be based on the research proposal submitted as part of the assessment for Researching Social Life in Level 5. Students will engage with their supervisors on a one to one or group basis throughout the course of the module. This will be equivalent to 20 minutes per week over 21 weeks (7 hours).

Students will submit a compulsory 3,000 word literature review on their topic for formative assessment in week 9 of Semester one. This may be incorporated, subject to changes after feedback, into the final dissertation.

Students will be required to complete the appropriate ethics form to their supervisor by week 3 of Semester One, a dissertation plan by week 7 of Semester One and the 3,000 word literature review by week 9 of semester one all of which are compulsory and provide the basis for formative assessment.

Throughout the module students will be expected to provide their supervisors with written samples of their work for discussion at supervision sessions.

Key Information Set:
2% scheduled learning and teaching activity
98% guided independent learning

One-to-one and/or group sessions with supervisors
Formative assessment
Guided reading.
Secondary research.
Primary research and analysis (where applicable)
Preparation for meetings with supervisor.
Completion of ethics form.
Writing of dissertation plan, literature review and dissertation.

Bell, J. (2005, 5th Ed) 'Doing Your Research Project'. Open University Press.
Bryman, A. (2008, 3rd Ed, 'Social Research Methods'. Oxford University Press.
Denscombe, M. (2nd Ed) (2003) 'The Good Research Guide'. Open University Press.
Esterberg, K.G. (2002) 'Qualitative Methods in Social Research'. McGraw Hill.
Letherby, G (2003) 'Feminist Research in Theory and Practice'. Open University Press

Students will undertake an individual research project with the guidance of a personal supervisor. Projects may be based upon archival strategies or quantitative or qualitative research methods. The literature review (3,000 words) will provide extensive background research into the topic and may be incorporated into the final dissertation of 10,000 words which will be guided by the dissertation plan. The completed dissertation will explore the topic thoroughly and include a scholarly and reflexive account of the research problems identified in the report and should be in accordance with the module's learning outcomes.

1,000 word plan of dissertation (formative assessment only)
3,000 word literature review (formative assessment only)
10,000 word dissertation 100% (Learning outcomes 1 to 6 - summative assessment)

Key Information Set:
100% coursework