COMM5600M Dissertation and Research Methods

60 credits
Class Size: 305
Module manager: Dr Lee Edwards
Email: l.m.s.edwards@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
This module is mutually exclusive with
COMM5800M Final Independent Project
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
This module provides students with the academic competencies
necessary to study successfully at postgraduate level and particularly
for producing a good dissertation. The dissertation itself counts for 60
credits and forms one third of the programme of study; therefore, a
good dissertation is vital for obtaining a good Masters degree. The
module runs over two semesters and is complemented by meetings
with a personal supervisor. The first semester is taught by lectures
covering general issues and theory of research design, and gives an
introduction into the common research methods in media and
communications studies. The second semester provides in-depth
training in specific qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Objectives
This module provides students with the theoretical and methodological
knowledge that enables them to carry out an independent piece of
research in the field of Communication and Media Studies. The main
objective of this module is the preparation of the dissertation. The
module introduces the dissertation process, the key underlying
principles of research projects and major methodological approaches
that guide research in the field of Media and Communication, in order
to help students develop a coherent research design for their own
dissertation. In addition, it makes students familiar with basic research
techniques the understanding and application of which are not only
essential for an academic career, but also for professional careers in
communications-related fields.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- understand the dissertation process

- comprehend the basic philosophical and theoretical issues in
communication and media research;
- understand the main research methods in communication and media
studies, the social sciences and humanities;
- critically evaluate competing approaches to empirical enquiry, in
particular the strengths and weaknesses of theoretical dissertations,
quantitative and qualitative research methods;
 - be able to recognise the pros and cons of employing particular
approaches and methods for a specific research project;
- develop a coherent research design including the formulation of
hypotheses, choosing adequate research instruments and collecting
and interpreting empirical evidence.

Syllabus
Lectures:

1. Introduction
2. Question development
3. Methodological approaches an overview
4. How to develop an argument and writing a literature review
5. Content analysis
6. Visual methods
7. Rhetorical and discourse analysis and ideological critique
8. Historical analysis and using archives
9. interviewing and focus groups
10. ethnography and online research
11. Ethics
Seminars:
Run parallel to the lectures in weeks 1-3 specifically for students who
have completed a dissertation previously. These seminars replace the
introductory lectures for experienced students. They are designed to be
interactive sessions allowing students to discuss their past experience
of a dissertation, what their current research interests are, and how
they want to develop their skills as a researcher and build upon their
previous experience.
Workshops:
Online methods workshops will be set up in semester 2 and more
information about them will be made available closer to the time. Drop-
in sessions with teaching assistants will also be scheduled for you to
use as you start developing your research proposals.
Teaching methods
Student
Delivery type Number Length hours
hours
Supervision Meetings 8 0.50 4.00
Lecture 11 1.50 16.50
Seminar 3 1.50 4.50
Private study hours 575.00
Total Contact hours 25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 600.00
Private study
11 x 5 hours preparation for classes: 55 hours;
Preparation of dissertation proposal: 25 hours;
Field work and preparation of the dissertation: 495 hours.
Total hours of private study and independent learning: 560

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In semester 1 each student is allocated a supervisor from within their
programme of study, and it is expected that students will have 8
meetings of half an hour in length with their supervisor between
December and July. The students are advised to meet with their
supervisors at least once a month. The role of the supervisor is to
provide advice and guidance on the research process and to suggest
appropriate readings and methods. Through the discussions in these
meetings and the feedback provided on drafts of written work, the
supervisor can monitor student progress during the module. The
supervisor is also responsible for marking the 2,500-3,000 word
research proposal, submitted at the end of February. This assessment
will allow for formal progress monitoring before the fieldwork/data
collection begins.
In order to ensure the most productive progress, students are advised
to follow these deadlines with their supervisors:
- 2,500-3,000 word assessed research proposal must submitted at the
end of February (marked by supervisor).
- Final drafts of literature review and methodology should be submitted
to supervisor by the Easter break.
- Final drafts of any additional chapters should be submitted to
supervisor by July.
- Final revisions carried out in July/August, following feedback from
supervisor.

Methods of assessment

Coursework
Assessmen Notes % of formal
t type assessment
Essay or 1 x 12,000-15,000 word dissertation to be 100.00
Dissertatio submitted at the end of the academic year
n
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100.00
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first
attempt, unless otherwise stated