Applied Linguistics Dissertation - LAN00110M

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Module summary

This module allows you to design and carry out a research project within the applied linguistics fields of Conversation Analysis or Language Development. You will conduct your research independently under supervision. Research projects may include investigation of existing corpus data, experimental research, or literature-based research, depending on your interests and the skills and knowledge you have developed through your module choices over the programme.

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Summer Semester 2025-26

Module aims

The module provides the opportunity to:

• Work with current theoretical and research-based knowledge in one area of applied linguistics.

• Select and apply research methods as appropriate.

• Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues in working with applied linguistic data.

• Demonstrate independent research skills.

• Manage a complex project.

• Seek and reflect on feedback, and use it effectively to inform the project.

• Develop academic communication skills.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Design and independently conduct a research project in a chosen area of Conversation Analysis or Language Development.

• Apply current theoretical and research-based knowledge as relevant to the project.

• Be aware of and able to articulate any ethical issues in working with applied linguistic data.

• Acquire and apply additional methodologies and techniques in adjacent areas if necessary.

• Work autonomously, and identify their own development needs.

• Seek, reflect on, and apply feedback effectively.

• Engage confidently in academic communication.

Module content

This module takes place in the summer semester, but prior to this, preparation work for the module is built into the Research Training Seminar in Semester 2. Three lectures within that module prepare students for formulating a project proposal. The proposal is submitted in Semester 2, Week 5 as formative work for the Dissertation. Students will begin work on their dissertation topics during Semester 2 as part of the work built in to the Research Training Seminar.

Based on the project proposal submitted in Semester 2, students will be assigned an individual project supervisor before the start of the summer semester. The supervisor will offer five supervision meetings, to offer advice on the project. Additional general training is also provided through three lectures and skills-specific workshops within the Research Training Seminar.

During the course of the summer semester, students will conduct their research and write it up.

Indicative assessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Reassessment

This module is reassessed at the module level. However, as per University policy for independent study modules:

• If you fail a Masters ISM with a mark below 40, then no reassessment is permitted.

• If you are given a ‘marginal fail’ mark of between 40 and 49, then you will have the chance to make amendments (minor corrections) which will enable a minimum threshold to be reached, with the mark after resubmission capped at 50. Details of the sort of revisions that would be expected are given in the Guide to Assessment, Standards Marking and Feedback, but you would not expect to need access to the University’s physical facilities, to collect further data or to need any further supervision, and it should be possible to complete the work with no more than the equivalent of two weeks’ full-time effort.

Indicative reassessment

Task	% of module mark
Essay/coursework	100.0

Module feedback

Feedback on formative work.
Oral feedback on the dissertation proposal will be provided at a meeting to be scheduled within three semester weeks of submission. Written feedback will also be given.

Summative assessment and feedback.
Written feedback and a mark on the university marking scale will be given within 25 working days.

Indicative reading

Not provided, because the reading depends on each student’s individual project.