Enhancing the Masters’ dissertation experience for a diverse student population.

Helen Robinson

Kingston Business School

Kingston University.

Reflections

• In the past…

• Nowadays…

• Our Masters’ students often feel bewildered at the prospect of:

• Developing a research proposal

• Conducting primary research

• Writing a dissertation

• The dissertation study group

Dissertation group pilot Meeting One: (Timing of first meeting to co-ordinate with ‘Research proposal and dissertation workshop’ session ‘Refining research topic and objectives’ ) Explain the rationale and objectives of the three proposed group dissertation meetings

Discuss expectations of the supervisor – supervisee relationship Discuss the benefits of the dissertation study groups Invite each student in turn to outline proposed topic areas and initial research ideas for

discussion amongst the group. Send them off to prepare for our next meeting

Meeting Two (Two weeks later): Following initial review of literature during the last two weeks and discussion of their ideas in

the ‘Refining research topic and objectives’ session (in Research proposal and dissertation module)…each student present their research ideas

Refinement and discussion of ideas within the group

Brief students to do further reading and to consolidate their ideas and proposed research methods by the following meeting (Two hour time slot in approx. two weeks)

Meeting Three (Two weeks later): Following further review of literature during the last two weeks, each student informally

presents research objectives and research methods for inclusion in the Dissertation Research Proposal to the group for discussion and evaluation amongst the group

Formation of dissertation study groups Any problems are picked up by me and dealt with at individual level with supervisees after

this point…

Followed by: Individual meetings to discuss research proposal drafts (one week prior to hand in date)

Positive outcomes

• An improved student learning experience

• Better student results

• Development of specific topic areas

• Dissemination of subject research via conferences and publications

References

• Marshall, S. (2008) ‘Supervising projects and dissertations’ in Fry, S., Ketteridge, S. and Marshall, S. (ed.), A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 3rd edn. London: Routledge.

• Shaw, D.M. (2011) ‘Promoting Professional Student Learning through Study

Groups: A case Study’ College Teaching, 59 (2) pp.85-92. • Thorley, L. and Gregory, R. (1994) ‘Using Group-based Learning in Higher

Education’, London: Kogan Page.

• Baker, M.J., Cluett, E., Ireland, L., Rouke, S. (2014) Supervising undergraduate research: A collective approach utilising groupwork and peer support, Nurse Education Today, 34 (4), 637-642.