Level 7 Masters Dissertation Assessment Brief | University Salford Manchester

Assessment task details and instructions

You should complete your dissertation using one of the two options below.

Option A- Systematized Review (15,000 words) 

A systematized review of evidence relating to a professional, clinical or organisational subject. The review must include: 
 i) a critical evaluation on the quality of evidence within the literature and 
 ii) commentary on the implications within your professional discipline, practice area or wider collaborative and professional networks.

Option B- project (15,000 words) 

This option should only be attempted if you have successfully completed a Research Methods module or an Evidence Based Practice module.   
A research project negotiated with the supervision team. Negotiation is based on the following principles: 
i) resources and operational priorities within the School of Health & Society  
ii) research expertise of your supervisor(s) and  
iii) your level of understanding of the research approach and purported study design. 
 
This marking guide provides an overview of tasks linked to intended Learning Outcomes of the Masters Dissertation module, with percentage weightings agreed on by the teaching team 

Assessment Criteria

You consider the assessment criteria to find out what we are specifically looking at when grading your work.  In addition to the information supplied above, your work will be marked against Level 7 grade descriptors which can be found on Masters Dissertation blackboard site.

Knowledge and Understanding

Assessed intended learning outcomes 

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

1. Critically identify and apply knowledge of research/inquiry techniques applicable to their own discipline to enhance research and advanced scholarship  
2. Evaluate research/inquiry methods with due consideration of research, governance, project management and ethics frameworks at local, national and international levels 
3. Critically appraise and debate key concepts, methods and technical paradigms.  
4. Apply creative thinking and problem-solving strategies within their discipline to address the challenges of research and inquiry within discipline and justify their chosen approaches to research and professional inquiry 
5. Critically evaluate current research evidence, policy and reflect upon their role as a researcher/change agent within professional, educational, clinical or organisational practice

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills

•  Deal with complex issues, systematically and creatively, to make sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences 
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level 
• Continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to consolidate data collection, analysis and presentation skills 
• Demonstrate collaborative learning and networking within their discipline. 
• Develop the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment such as initiative and personal and professional responsibility, decision making abilities in complex and unpredictable situations and independent learning ability required for continuing professional development 

Module Aims

To enhance the student's ability to utilise a systematic process of inquiry and apply critical thinking and problem solving, in order to investigate an aspect of professional, educational, clinical, or organisational practice.