EDU 4205
Dissertation Study-Unit (12 ECTS)
Dr Adrian Gellel
Chairperson
B.Ed (Hons) Dissertations Committee
Faculty of Education
Objectives
Through this study-unit, the students will
develop reflective and/or creative practice and
analytic and academic writing skills.
The main objective is for students to go through
the following experiences and processes of
academic investigation and writing:
- selection of area of interest within educational
research;
- critical appraisal and acknowledgement of the
relevant literature;
- identification of the research question/s;
- design of a research project that can address the
question/s;
Objectives (cont...)
- selection of the appropriate research method/s;
- explanation of the reasons for taking up a
research methodology/ies
- consideration of due and sensitive ethical issues;
and
- production of a sound, clear and coherent
academic written presentation of the research
issues, literature review, methodology, results
where applicable, discussion of the research and/or
product and a conclusion.
Aims
Through this study-unit, under the
guidance of their supervisor, the students
will:
- conduct research to study a specific
problem in the field of education in
depth;
- carry out an investigation in an
ethical, systematic and scientific
manner; and
- produce a written academic report of
the study.
The Proposal- submission
Proposals are to be submitted to the
Dissertations Committee by:
16th May 2014
Please submit your Proposal at the Office of
Mr. Arnold Dingli (Rm 328, Faculty of
Education)
The Proposal
The proposal is a master plan for the
research study. The proposal should be
extremely focused (some 300 words) and
should help the Dissertation Committee
understand
the objectives,
the research question under study
the design and methodology
proposed for conducting the research.
The Proposal: where do I start?
What area would I like to work in? Can I find some
interesting questions in this area?
How much is already known about this area of study?
What can I read to learn more? Are there any
dissertations in this area?
Can I think of a potential supervisor?
Do I want to work alone or with a friend?
What sort of work is feasible to do?
Which methodology best fits the type of research?
Important Steps before May 2014
READ
Define your Research Area
READ -collect materials
Find a supervisor
READ -collect materials
Define your Research Question
READ - collect materials
Define your methodology
The Proposal: help
Faculty Policy
Dissertation Guidebook
Reading dissertations of past
students
Areas of Interest of academic staff
Research Design
There are various methodologies.
Your choice will largely depend on
your
RESEACH QUESTION
If your design involves human
subjects than it is likely that you
need ethical clearance
Supervisor and Advisor
The supervisor shall guide and assist the student in all
the phases of the dissertation.
The supervisor will tutor the student’s work, keep
records of student’s progress and examine the
dissertation.
The supervisor may request for the appointment of an
advisor. The advisor shall assist the supervisor and
the student in the various phases of the dissertation
as deemed necessary.
The advisor will also examine the dissertation.
Eligible Supervisors and Advisors
Should preferably be full-time or part-time staff of
the University of Malta with formal teaching
and/or research duties; in possession of a
Master’s Degree, or its equivalent, or a higher
degree.
In exceptional circumstances, the Dissertation
Committee may approve ad hoc Supervisors on
the basis of their expertise and/or relevant
professional qualifications.
List of Areas of Interest for supervision of
dissertations for members of Faculty of
Education staff is included in the
documentation to be provided.
The Proposal: its outcome
The Dissertation Committee takes two to
three months to process the proposals.
The committee may make one of the
following decisions:
Accepted
Referred for amendments
Rejected
The dissertation progress diary
Student fills in a short report about
meetings with the supervisor and advisor.
These reports are signed by supervisor.
The diary will be handed in to the
examination board of the dissertation.
Students may also be requested to hand
in their progress diary at some stage after
they start working on their dissertation
Rough Timeline
TP
16.05.2014
Deadline to Submit
Dissertation
Proposal
19.02.2014
Research and
Planning Stage
October 2014
Submit very first
draft of Lit. Review
Summer 2014
READ
January-Feb 2015
IF empirical
research
IF Ethics required
Latest possible time
to submit request to
UREC
Final TP
October 2015
Have at least 2
chapters ready
06-05-2016
Deadline to
submit
Dissertation