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MEnv Dissertation - ENV00056M

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  • Department: Environment and Geography
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Eleanor Jew
  • Credit value: 60 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

The MEnv dissertation module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth individual research project in an area of interest within their specialist stream. It will enable them to develop a suite of independent study skills. Following on from the Advanced Literature Review in year 3, the students will construct and follow a research plan that enables them to undertake a novel piece of research over the course of year 4. They will then present this research in the form of a research paper in summer week 5.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding of a specific research topic
  • Critically evaluate research, advanced scholarship and methodologies and argue alternative approaches
  • Collect and analyse data
  • Manage their time
  • Engage confidently in academic and professional communication (both orally and written) with others, reporting on action clearly, autonomously and competently
  • Identify continuing profession al study needs, adapt and develop new skills for new situations, network with others and manage their own learning
  • Formulate a suitable research question and be able to identify appropriate methods for addressing the question with minimum guidance
  • Present data clearly in figures, diagrams and tables
  • Utilise information technology and bibliographic search techniques appropriately to create and/or present data and analysis clearly
  • Integrate source material and evidence coherently into their writing and reference it accurately
  • Engage in appropriate writing processes, such as planning, drafting and proof-reading to produce a polished piece of writing

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
MEnv Dissertation		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Feedback is provided through departmental standard feedback forms.

Indicative reading

You may find the following textbooks and papers helpful:

Bryman, A (2012) Social Research Methods. Oxford.

Champ, P.A., Boyle, K.J. & Brown, T.C. (Eds.) 'A primer on nonmarket valuation', Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.

Chapter 3 describes sound methods for designing a survey for data collection.

Field, A & Hole, G. (2003) 'How to design and report experiments', Sage publications, London.

Excellent, lucid explanation of how to design experiments, analyse data and then write up a report.

Field, A (2005) 'Discovering Statistics: using SPSS for Windows', Sage publications, London.

Clear, explicit descriptions of how to perform data analysis in SPSS.

Punch, K (2005) Introduction to social research. SAGE, London.

Verzani, J. (2005) 'Using R for Introductory Statistics', Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca Raton, Florida, USA.

Clear, explicit descriptions of how to perform data analysis in R.

White P.C.L., Vaughan Jennings N., Renwick A.R. & Barker N.H.L. (2005) 'Questionnaires in ecology: a review of past use and recommendations for best practice' Journal of Applied Ecology, 42, 421 - 430. 'Best practice' methods for survey design and data collection.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.