Module description

The Dissertation Module is worth 30 credits and is both a compulsory and core requirement of the BSc Global Health. This module requires you to plan, execute and deliver an individual piece of academic research. To do this you will need to consolidate the knowledge, skills and interests you have developed during years 1 and 2 of the taught program and acquire a specific set of new research skills. The module offers you the opportunity to pursue a topic of interest in depth and produce a critical and scholarly review of the literature. Once you have identified a supervisor from among staff in the Global Health and Innovation Unit, you will conduct desk-based research on a topic of your choosing. Your supervisor will guide you through the dissertation process. 

Outline of the module:

The Dissertation Module has 2 core components:

·       Seminars: a set of five 1 ½ hr seminars conducted by staff at the Centre during term 1 that prepare you to plan, conduct and write up a research-based dissertation.  

·       Dissertation supervisions: dissertation supervision meetings with your supervisor in which you will be guided and supported through the dissertation process. 

Please note: There are no lectures associated with this module.

Learning Aims and Outcomes

Module aims:

The module aims to develop your ability to explore an academic topic in depth; choose between different methodological approaches; produce a scholarly and critical summary of the literature, including critical analysis of data, findings, and conclusions presented in primary studies and reports; and present your work both verbally and in writing.

Learning objectives:

Academic content

·       Basic epistemology, critical appraisal and knowledge of different research methods

·       Principles of a scholarly literature review as applied to global public health and primary care.

·       Principles of methodological approaches to research, such as different types of literature review, case-study, policy analysis.

·       Knowledge of key data sources including journals, evidence databases, and grey literature.

·       Approaches to appraising, summarising, and synthesising evidence and data.  

Research skill development

·       Searching of academic and grey literature.

·       Critically analysing literature on a chosen topic.

·       Awareness of different methodological approaches, such as case-study and health policy analysis methodology.

·       Appraisal and synthesis of findings.

Attribute development

·       Ability to plan and manage time effectively.

·       Ability to reflect on and develop a scholarly approach to published and other evidence.

·       Intellectual integrity and knowledge of own strengths and weaknesses.

·       Ability to seek and follow advice and feedback.

·       Ability to write effectively and confidently in an academic and professional manner.

SCHEDULE

WEEK	DATE	TOPIC	ACTIVITY/TASK
1	FRI 25 SEPT.	INTRODUCTION	Based on the videos posted, come prepared to discuss possible topics for your own dissertation
2	FRI 02 OCT.	EVIDENCE, RESEARCH AND FRAMEWORKS	SEMINAR AND WEBINAR WILL FOCUS ON DEVELOPING A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND RESEARCH DESIGN FOR THE 'GLASGOW EFFECT'
3	FRI 09 OCT.	Quantitative methods and surveys	designing a survey to research the glasgow effect
4	FRI 16 OCT	Literature reviews	How to search the literature - webinar by paua funnell
5	FRI 23 OCT	The case-study approach	Activity on identifying, assessing and designing a case-study in global health
6	FRI 30 OCT	Policy analysis	applying the policy triangle to analyse a piece of health policy
7	READING WEEK	NO CLASSES

MODULE EXPECTATIONS

Tips for getting the most out of your dissertation

·       The best dissertations are often the ones where the student is genuinely interested in the topic.

·       It is important to appreciate the value of group interaction and learning from each other. Although you will be focused on your individual project, there will be many similarities between what you and your colleagues are doing. For example, the challenges of planning, developing your ideas, and conducting literature searching, will be common to all projects. So you can learn from each other.

·       Keep in regular contact with your supervisor and academic tutor; and make sure you let us know if and when you're having problems. The temptation when things are not going so well is to wait until you can present a more positive picture of your progress. But it is often easier to find solutions to problems at an early stage.

·       Submit sections of your dissertation in draft form at agreed intervals with your supervisor. This will enable you to receive regular formative feedback on your progress.

·       Make sure that you have read all the regulations, timelines and rules, especially about plagiarism and guidelines on good academic practice. This is your responsibility.

Types of research

There are many different potential research topics and research questions, and there are also many types of research. All dissertations will involve secondary research, meaning that research will be based on and limited to existing data, case-studies, or literature. It will not be feasible for students to conduct primary data collection. One of the key skills of research is the ability to plan a practical and realistic programme of research. You should discuss the design of your research in detail with your supervisor.

Selection of your dissertation topic and supervisor

The selection of your dissertation topic and supervisor is an iterative process undertaken by you and the staff within the Global Public Health Unit, based on the following process:

·       In October you will be allocated a supervisor from the department. You should do some thinking about your own particular interests (e.g. health issue, broad theme) and the type of research you would like to undertake (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods analysis).

·       In Seminars 2,-5, a range of different types of possible desk-based dissertations will be discussed, from literature reviews, case-studies, and policy appraisals.

·       You should contact your supervisor as soon as possible to start identifying topic and methods to be used for your dissertation.

·       In Seminar 7 in December you will present your proposal for a dissertation topic. The purpose of this presentation is formative, and the feedback will not be marked.

Supervision

During the course of the year you will meet with your supervisor(s), in person or remotely, to expand and explore how you will develop your dissertation project. When you first meet your supervisor, you should be prepared to discuss:

·       The research question you might like to address.

·       Make sure that your dissertation research fits with your commitments and assessments for the other modules on the course. Be realistic about how much you can do in this short time.

·       An idea about the types of data or evidence that would be best to answer the research question.

·       What you would like from the supervisory relationship (e.g. how meetings should be arranged, how quickly it is reasonable to expect the supervisor to respond to enquiries, and how long the supervisor requires to comment on written drafts)

In collaboration with your supervisor, you should develop a rough project plan including a timetable of tasks. For more information, see the ‘Timetable and important dates’ section.

Below are a set of principles that should form the basis of the relationship between the supervisor and student:

·       Student and supervisor both commit to achieving a productive, trustful and honest working relationship until the achievement of a research degree award.

·       It is the responsibility of the student to arrange meetings, to agree an agenda and to compile a list of action points from each meeting. Meetings may be initiated and arranged by the Supervisor if necessary.

·       A minimum of 4-5 meetings should take place over the academic year.

·       The supervisor is obliged to read at least 1 full draft of the dissertation before submission. The supervisor will have at least 7 days to read through and comment on this draft.

·       The supervisor will give guidance about: the nature of research and the standards expected; the planning of the research; literature and sources; required techniques; and the avoidance of plagiarism.

·       The student will ensure the progress of the work in accordance with the stages agreed with the supervisor including, in particular, the presentation of written material in sufficient time to allow for comments and discussion.

·       The student will ensure that any circumstances that might require his/her study to be modified or his/her University registration to be extended, suspended or withdrawn are brought to the attention of his/her supervisor within a reasonable time frame.

When should I meet with my supervisor?

You should discuss a timetable of meetings with your supervisor and agree dates that suit you both. Here are some suggestions:

·       We suggest that you meet before you present your research ideas in Seminar 5. 

·       You will receive your feedback from your first piece of assessment (the outline research proposal) by the end of January. You could schedule a meeting to discuss your feedback and ways to incorporate that feedback into a revised proposal.

·       After that, it is up to you when you want to meet, based on your individual needs. 

Timetable and important dates

The dissertation module takes place across the whole academic year and will require you to work to the following project deadlines:

Assessment:

·       A formative presentation of your research proposal in December (unmarked feedback)

·       A 1,000-word outline of your dissertation research proposal (15%) to be submitted by the first week of January 2020 (TBC)

·       Your completed dissertation of up to 8,000 words (85%), to be submitted by the second week of May 2021.

Award boundaries and re-submissions.

A mark of 40% is required to pass the BSc. Please make sure you look over the more detailed marking scheme for the BSc when planning and executing your dissertation

If you have a mark of less than pass mark confirmed by the Exam Board you will have one more opportunity to re-submit your dissertation. This should be done at the earliest opportunity. In this event, please see the course administrator for details (e.mclean-inglis@qmul.ac.uk). Please note your re-submission mark would be capped at 50%.

Dissertation Format

All dissertations must be word-processed and an electronic submitted through QM+ (no need for a hard copy). The dissertation should have double (or 1.5 if preferred) line spacing . Characters shall not be less than 11pt and not more than 12pt (British Standard). Pages must be numbered consecutively throughout the thesis, commencing with the Title page. Your title page should include your project title, name, student number and supervisor's name.

All citations and references must follow the Harvard or Vancouver format.

A computerised word count that excludes references, appendices, tables and figures must be provided.

Plagiarism

You are reminded that plagiarism is a serious academic offence. QMUL employs a software (Turnitin) to check for plagiarism for all the material submitted by students in QM+. Students who are suspected of plagiarism in their final dissertation will be referred to the internal plagiarism committee, and could be removed from the course if found guilty. It is acceptable to quote small sections from other published work where this is relevant to the argument. All such material must be clearly identified as such by using italic script, placing it within quotation marks, and clearly referencing its source, including the page number of the quotation. Any direct quotations not identified in this manner will be subject to the penalties due for deliberate plagiarism.