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For the dissertation/research project you will complete a guided enquiry project focusing on a specific aspect of teaching adults. The project is approached on a group basis, but leads to an individual dissertation.

Will vary by student and intended project.

None.

A dissertation of between 10,000 and 15,000 words that will provide students with an opportunity to undertake a supervised research exercise, involving the collection and analysis of data about a subject relevant to the study of adult and continuing education. A great variety of enterprises can be accepted as a legitimate research exercise for the MSc - review of policy; a professional experience; a participant observation report; a philosophical enquiry; a case study; a critical account of the progressive building up of a curriculum or institution; a macro-study of official statistics; any of these could make a satisfactory research exercise.

The aims of the research project are:
a. to provide students with experience of planning and conducting an applied research project
b. to familiarise students with the methodological options associated with applied research
c. to provide experience of conducting a review of current research as a component of an applied research project

The intended learning outcomes (from the programme specification) are that students should be able to:
a. make informed and considered judgements about the nature and process of their research project
b. critique and evaluate research in the professional field of adult and continuing education in order to inform their research project
c. construct and conduct a substantial piece of applied research pertaining to adult education
d. demonstrate their applied research skills, particularly analysis and application within a specific context

None.