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Master's Degree Dissertation
Code: 44035Credits: 12
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Social Policy, Employment and Welfare | TFE | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Mireia Bolibar Planas
- Email :
- mireia.bolibar@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Joan Rodriguez Soler
- Joan Miquel Verd Pericas
- Joel Marti Olive
- Oriol Barranco Font
- Dafne Muntanyola Saura
- Mireia Bolibar Planas
- Pedro López Roldán
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
The Master's Degree Dissertation integrates the content from different courses of the Master’s program. In order to be able to properly develop this project, it is essential to have taken or to be taking the module on Social Research Methods and the theoretical modules which are related to the subject matter of study. It is also recommended to be taking the course on Advanced Social Research Methods, if the objective of the MDD is also to develop and expand the knowledge of applied research methods in the social sciences.
Objectives
The Master’s Dissertation (MD) aims at the students to apply the appropriate theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired during the master's degree to carry out a small research project or produce a small evaluation of any social policy. This work will be guided by a supervisor expert on the chosen topic, who will provide ongoing advice. In addition, the students must present the progress of their work in two follow-up sessions and finally make the oral defence before a tribunal. In the MD it will be necessary to justify the object of research, define the conceptual framework and the methodological design and use correctly the appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods to produce the relevant information and analyze it.
Learning outcomes
- CA09 (Design and carry out original research projects on work, gender and social policies, applying advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques with methodological rigour.) Design and carry out original research projects on work, gender and social policies, applying advanced qualitative and quantitative techniques with methodological rigour.
- CA10 (Apply knowledge acquired in the Master's degree in an innovative way to develop, present and defend research or intervention projects aimed at improving social welfare.) Apply knowledge acquired in the Master's degree in an innovative way to develop, present and defend research or intervention projects aimed at improving social welfare.
- KA06 (Relate the theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired in the Master's degree to formulate a research or evaluation project in the field of social policies, work and welfare.) Relate the theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired in the Master's degree to formulate a research or evaluation project in the field of social policies, work and welfare.
- KA07 (Explain and describe the practical implications of developing empirical research, including timeline, resources, and limitations.) Explain and describe the practical implications of developing empirical research, including timeline, resources, and limitations.
- SA07 (Autonomously apply knowledge acquired to solve problems in new or multidisciplinary contexts linked to work, gender and social policies.) Autonomously apply knowledge acquired to solve problems in new or multidisciplinary contexts linked to work, gender and social policies.
- SA08 (Write a research report in accordance with formal academic criteria, using and rigorously managing bibliographic sources and specialised resources.) Write a research report in accordance with formal academic criteria, using and rigorously managing bibliographic sources and specialised resources.
Contents
Depending on the contents and objectives of the MD, the Final Report may have two types of structure, which are presented below. One of them should be chosen according to the objectives and contents of the MD:
A. If the MD is oriented to developing of a small research project, it will consist of the following parts:
1. Introduction. Presentation of the research question and objectives
The initial research question and the construction of the research problem will be presented. The interest of the research will also be justified, and the general and specific objectives will be presented.
2. Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework will present, a priori, two types of content. On the one hand, the state of the art addressed will be shown, that is, those scientific publications that deal with the object of study and/or problems raised in the TFM will be reviewed. On the other hand, the conceptual framework of the research will be presented, in which the relevant theoretical concepts will be reviewed and the theoretical construction of the problem to be studied will be addressed. These two parts are flexible, and the tutor can recommend, depending on the existing literature or depending on the problem addressed, giving more prominence to one or the other; or even concentrate only on one of the two parts.
3. Analysis Model
In this section, the research questions or hypotheses will be presented. These questions or hypotheses must be explicitly stated and developed, and must be susceptible to empirical testing. In addition, a diagram of the analysis model will be presented in which the relationships between the main concepts used in the work are made explicit. This diagram of the analysis model may also represent the main hypotheses of the work, in the case of proposing hypotheses in the MD. In case of using quantitative methods, the operationalization of the main concepts will also be presented in this section. In case of using qualitative methods, the main blocks of the interview, discussion group or observation protocol will be presented.
4. Methods
In this section the type of methodological research approach that has been carried out (qualitative, quantitative or mixed) will be explained. The section will present also what have been the most important decisions of the methodological research design and how these decisions are justified. In relation to the sources of information used, these may be secondary statistical data, documentary data (obtained through a sampling logic that must be explicit and transparent) or data obtained directly by using qualitative research methods, based on the use of interviews, discussion groups or observations. The section should explicitly justify why the chosen sources and types of data are used, as well as the methodological advantages and disadvantages of the decisions made. It will also be necessary to describe the fieldwork carried out, in case of using own data. Regarding the analysis of the data obtained, it will be necessary to explicitly indicate what type of specific analysis has been adopted and what has been the procedure followed.
5. Analysis / Results
This section should present all the data processing carried out in the research. If the length of the analysis implies exceeding the number of pages recommended for the report, a short summary will be presented and the complete analysis will appear in an appendix. The data analysis should lead to a concrete answer to the research questions posed (or to verify the hypotheses of the research).
6. Conclusions
The conclusions will have to respond to the objectives set out in the MD. In this section, the findings made should be synthesized and their theoretical, methodological and/or empirical relevance discussed. In this sense, it is advisable to compare the results obtained with those collected in the literature reviewed and identify the (possible) differences. It is also recommended to reflect on the (possible) limitations of the work and extract policy recommendations or applied knowledge in relation to the object of study addressed.
7. Bibliography
8. Appendix
It should contain: Statistical sources: variables, tables, graphs. Register of any qualitative information used. Analysis carried out in the case where only a summary has been presented in the results section.
B. A. If the MD is oriented to the evaluation of a policy, it will consist of the following parts:
1. Introduction. Presentation of the research question and objectives of the study
The construction of the problem and the objectives of the evaluation will be presented. The interest of the evaluation, its relevance and some general and specific objectives will also be justified.
2.Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework will contain, a priori, two types of information. On the one hand, the estate of the art regarding the issue addressed will be shown, that is, those scientific publications that deal with the object of study and/or problems raised in the MD will be reviewed. On the other hand, the conceptual framework of the research will be presented, in which the pertinent theoretical concepts will bereviewed and the theoretical construction of the central problem on which the evaluation is to be carried out will be addressed. These two parts are flexible, and the tutor can recommend, depending on the existing literature or depending on the problem addressed, giving more prominence to one or the other, or even concentrating only on one of the two parts.
3. Theory of change
In this section the pertinent evaluation questions will be presented, consistent with the problems raised. The theory of change will also be developed and it will be presented using a diagram.
4. Methods
This section will present, first, the type of methodological approach of the evaluation carried out (qualitative, quantitative or mixed) and the most important decisions of the methodological design. As for the sources of information, these may be secondary statistical data, documentary data (obtained through a sampling logic that must be explicit and transparent) or data obtained directly through qualitative research methods, based on the use of interviews, discussion groups or observations. The section should explicitly justify why the chosen sources and types of data are used, as well as the methodological advantages and disadvantages of the decisions made. This section should also describe the fieldwork carried out, in case of using own data. In relation to the analysis of the data obtained, it will be necessary to explicitly indicate what type of specific analysis has been adopted and what has been the procedure followed.
5. Analysis / Results Obtained
In this section, all the data processing carried out should appear. If this analysis involves exceeding the number of pages indicated for the report, a summary will be presented (in this second case, the complete analysis will appear in the appendix). The data analysis should lead to identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the evaluated public policy, based on the variables identified in the literature.
6. Conclusions
They should summarize the objectives of the evaluation carried out and explain to what extent these objectives have been achieved. This section should also point out the elements that have not been empirically verified and the (possible) limitations of the work. It will also be necessary to compare the results obtained with the reviewed literature and discuss the (possible) differences detected.
7. Bibliography
8. Appendix
They must contain: Statistical sources: variables, tables, graphs. Recording of any qualitative information used. Analysis performed in the case where only a summary has been presented in the results section.
Declaration of originality of the Master’s Dissertation
In all modalities, a declaration of originality and academic integrity must be included at the end of the Master's Dissertation (MD), after the bibliography and before the annexes, using the template published on the virtual campus.
Students must clearly indicate whether artificial intelligence (AI) tools have been used and, if so, explain how they were used. They must also include a critical reflection on the impact of these tools on both the research process and the final outcome.
A lack of transparency regarding the use of AI, or its inappropriate use (including situations where the traceability of the data and/or theoretical sources employed cannot be demonstrated), will be considered a breach of academic integrity. Any irregularity in assessment activities, including academic fraud, plagiarism, or the improper use of AI, will result in a grade of 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student found to have committed such irregularities.
The teaching staff reserves the right to conduct oral interviews or alternative assessments in order to verify the effective acquisition of the required knowledge and skills and, consequently, the validity of the assessment tasks completed by students.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparing the partial assignments, the public defense and the dissertation | 298 | 11.92 |
The learning activity of this module is based on the orientation and individualized follow-up of the MD by the supervisor (tutor) assigned by the coordination of the module. However, a series of collective moments in which all the students meet with the teaching team that coordinates the MD are also part of the activities of the module. These collective moments consist of three plenary sessions (meetings) and two follow-up sessions. The defence of the final dissertation is individual, and the date is agreed with the two members of the tribunal that will evaluate it.
The dates of the collective moments and the handing of assignments will be communicated at the beginning of the course.
I. Collective Moments
First plenary meeting
Presentation of the module and the contents and organization of the MD.
Second plenary meeting
Presentation of the Sociology Department’s research groups and its lines of research.
Third plenary meeting
Choice of the topic of the dissertation and brief oral presentation. Assignment of supervisors and evaluators.
First follow-up session
The basic lines of the project of MD will be presented: objectives, theoretical framework (state of the art and review of relevant theoretical concepts), hypothesis or specific research questions, methodology (methodological design, methods and techniques). and bibliography. It is recommended to check the rubric placed in the Virtual Campus to verify in greater detail the requirements of this first follow-up session.
All the contents presented in this follow-up session will have been previously agreed with thesupervisor. On the date set for follow-up, Assignment 1 will also be sent to the supervisor. This Assignment will consist of a research project of about 1,500 words.
Second follow-up session
The theoretical framework, the analysis model (or theory of change) and the methodological design of the investigation or evaluation will be presented. It is recommended to check the rubric placed in the Virtual Campus to verify in greater detail the requirements of this second follow-up session.
All the contents presented in this follow-up session will have been previously agreed with the supervisor. On the date set for follow-up, Assignment 2 will also be sent to the supervisor. This Assignment 2 will consist of the theoretical framework and research design of the MD (5,000 words).
II. Assignments
Assignment 1: Research / evaluation project (1,500 words).
Assignment 2: Theoretical framework and design of the research/ evaluation (5,000 words).
Assignment 3: Draft of the Final research report / evaluation (10,000 words, excluding the appendix).
Assignment 4: Final research/ evaluation report (10,000 words, excluding the appendix).
The Final Report may be delivered and presented either in June or in September. The deadline for submitting this final report will be announced at the beginning of the academic year.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Final Report | 60% | 0 | 0 | CA09, CA10, KA06, KA07, SA07, SA08 |
| Defence of the work progress at the Second Follow-Up Session | 5% | 0.5 | 0.02 | CA09, CA10, KA06, KA07, SA07 |
| Oral Defence before the evaluation board | 30% | 1 | 0.04 | CA09, CA10, KA06, KA07 |
| Defence of the work progress at the First Follow-Up Session | 5% | 0.5 | 0.02 | CA09, CA10, KA06, KA07 |
The final grading of the MD will be the result of the following evidence of evaluation: Defence at the First Follow-Up Session (5%), Defence at the Second Follow-Up Session (5%), Written Final Report (60%) and Oral Defence before the evaluation board (30%).
The calendar for the submission and defence before the evaluation board will be published at the beginning of the course. The board will be formed by the supervisor of the MD and two members of the teaching staff of the module (one of them will act as methodological evaluator and will be in charge of the follow-up sessions). The defence of the MD will consist of an oral presentation of a maximum of 20 minutes. The members of the board will then ask their questions, and after the intervention of the board the student will have a turn of reply. Finally, the board will deliberate and notify the result of the evaluation.
Bibliography
Consulting the resources the UAB makes available to students for the preparation of the MD is recommended. They can be consulted at the following address:
https://www.uab.cat/en/libraries/how-to-prepare-degree-projects
Software
This module does not use any especific software
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TFMm) Treball de fi de màster | 1 | Unknown | Undefined | morning-mixed |