NCI Courses

Students are required to complete an individual educational dissertation project – this may be research based or practice-based. The topic or question must be selected by the student. Practice based dissertations must involve innovation in practice and/or learning design carried out in a structured, documented and evidenced based process (e.g. as Action Research or Design Based Research). Students must demonstrate achievement of all module learning outcomes in carrying out the dissertation project. The dissertation will be presented as a 20– 25,000 word thesis. In doing this, they must include - a statement of the research objectives, literature review, appropriate methodologies, data collection and analysis and findings and recommendations for future research.

Each student will be assigned a supervisor. It is recommended to consult the supervisor on an ongoing basis both face-to-face as well as via email and other electronic communication media. Students are expected to make contact with their supervisor at least every three weeks. Students are expected to share their draft work in advance of meetings with their supervisor. Prior to their first meeting with their supervisor students are advised to send a copy of the research question and literature review papers submitted in semester one. In this way the supervisor can have an opportunity to read these in advance. The student can also indicate their current thinking which may have moved on from these submissions.

At about week 5 students are required to submit a short document on dissertation progress and intent. The document will be discussed at a meeting between the student and the examiners. The student does not make a presentation but is required to answer questions on the research topic and question, the research method, data gathering, expected results and timeline for completion. This review will be marked with a weighting of 10% of the dissertation mark (the marking scheme is at the end of this document). The Interim Check Point Document to be prepared by the student shall be about 2000 words and it will address the following issues: • Background to the project • Statement of the research question to be addressed • Brief description of methodology and approach including ethical considerations • Expected outcomes • Major implementation steps and timelines The student will receive written feedback from the examiners. This feedback should be taken on-board by the student during the substantive work of the dissertation.

Students will submit two floppy bound printed versions of their thesis. Two members of the Programme Board will be appointed to mark each thesis.

Students will furnish a demonstration / presentation of their dissertation. Two examiners will be present along with the supervisor – the supervisor shall not act as an examiner. The student presentation shall be 15 minutes followed by a question and answer session. Overall, the process should take about 30 -35 minutes. Subsequently the Programme Board will convene a meeting to review the examination results and to ensure consistency in the marking.

Students may be asked to make changes to their dissertation by the examiners. One examiner will undertake to review these changes. The examiners must be satisfied that the necessary changes have been carried out before a mark can be awarded. Once the changes have been completed to the satisfaction of the examiner students may prepare for final submission. Students will also be required to submit electronic versions in accordance with NCI Submission of Thesis Policy.