Postgraduate Dissertation

Introduction

Where a dissertation is required to fulfil the requirements of a degree programme, a student should complete a dissertation of 15,000-25,000 words. This is intended to be based upon a small scale research exercise capable of completion within the time available to 1st September (for full-time students). The topic is selected by the student in consultation with appropriate members of the teaching staff. The area of study selected by the student must, however, be approved by the Departmental Research Committee. Following such approval, students are allocated a supervisor who is available for consultation and guidance. Students undertaking research involving human participants or their data may be required to seek research ethics approval before commencing their research, depending on whether their research is classified as no risk, low risk or potentially high risk.

Completion of a dissertation provides students with a useful introduction to the problems and rewards of research, as well as increasing their knowledge of the library, information and communications world. Some dissertations have been published by the Department while others have formed the bases for contributions to the professional press but publication is not a primary object. Students should acquaint themselves with the expected level of performance by examining several dissertations in their chosen subject field.

Access to Completed Departmental Dissertations

A listing of dissertations completed by students on the Department's programmes in previous years can be obtained by searching the
Departmental Publications Database.

Hard-copy lists of previous Departmental dissertations are also available in ring binders in the reception area of the Departmental Office. Copies of the actual dissertations themselves are held by the University Library for reference purposes. The Department also holds copies of the more recent dissertations, and it is possible to borrow them from the Departmental Office for normal loan periods of 48 hours (extendable if no other student has requested to borrow the dissertation in question).

Assessment

A pass grade must be achieved in the dissertation to fulfil the requirements for completing a Masters programme. Dissertations will be graded in the same manner as coursework. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners in the dissertation may re-submit within one year following the original submission in order to complete the examination.

Dissertations which are submitted late without a formal agreed extension having been granted will be penalised according to the Late Submission of Work policy described in the Assessment of Work section.

Word Count

The word limit for dissertations is 15,000 - 25,000 words. You must include a note of word count at the end of the dissertation, i.e., following the final chapter and before the Reference List/Bibliography. The Word count should exclude the Title page, Abstract, Table of Contents, bibliography and appendices, but include all the contents of all of the Chapters of your dissertation, including any foot-notes. (In MS Word: Select text to be included, then click Tools - Word Count).

You are expected to keep within the word range specified above. Over-length and under-length work will be penalised according to the Over/Under Length Assessed Work policy described in the Assessment of Work section.

The Dissertation Handbook

A separate Dissertation Handbook giving much more detail about the dissertation process, presentation, submission, assessment etc. is given to each student towards the end of the first semester. Copies of the Dissertation Handbook are also available from the Departmental Office.