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Overview

A supervised research dissertation of up to 20,000 words on an approved topic.

This is a required component of the coursework option for the MA in Sociology. The topic and timeframe for completion will be determined in consultation with the dissertation supervisor.

About this paper

Paper title Research Dissertation
Subject Sociology
EFTS 0.5
Points 60 points
Teaching period(s) 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027) (On campus)
2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027) (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $4,996.50
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Limited to
MA
Eligibility

Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.

Contact

sgsc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: To be confirmed

Teaching Arrangements

The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.

Individual supervision.

Textbooks
There is no set textbook.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Self-motivation, Information Literacy, Research, Communication, Critical Thinking, Ethics, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Global Perspective, Lifelong Learning, Cultural Understanding, Environmental Literacy.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the paper will be able to demonstrate an:

  • Ability to design and develop a coherent and appropriate research question that draws on the theoretical and methodological knowledge of their chosen discipline (Scholarship, Self-motivation)
  • Ability to plan, conduct, analyse and report an original research study in their chosen discipline (Information Literacy, Research, Communication)
  • Aptitude for considering and evaluating evidence; for engaging in the highest ethical standards of research and scholarship; and for approaching their research with flexibility, adaptability and creativity (Critical Thinking, Ethics)
  • Intellectual openness and curiosity and an awareness of the limits of current knowledge in their chosen field as well as the links amongst disciplines (Interdisciplinary Perspective)
  • Understanding of how their research relates to society and, where appropriate, use their research to contribute to wider society, whether within or outside New Zealand, and, where appropriate, to the environment and Māori aspirations (Global Perspective, Lifelong Learning, Cultural Understanding, Environmental Literacy)

Overview

A supervised research dissertation of up to 20,000 words on an approved topic.

This is a required component of the coursework option for the MA in Sociology. The topic and timeframe for completion will be determined in consultation with the dissertation supervisor.

About this paper

Paper title Research Dissertation
Subject Sociology
EFTS 0.5
Points 60 points
Teaching period(s) 1st Non standard period (5 March 2027 - 25 February 2028) (On campus)
2nd Non standard period (16 July 2027 - 7 July 2028) (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Limited to
MA
Eligibility

Enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.

Contact

sgsc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course Co-ordinator: To be confirmed

Teaching Arrangements

The distance learning offering of this paper is taught remotely.

Individual supervision.

Textbooks

There is no set textbook.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the paper will be able to demonstrate an:

  • Ability to design and develop a coherent and appropriate research question that draws on the theoretical and methodological knowledge of their chosen discipline. (Scholarship, Self-motivation)
  • Ability to plan, conduct, analyse and report an original research study in their chosen discipline. (Information Literacy, Research, Communication)
  • Aptitude for considering and evaluating evidence; for engaging in the highest ethical standards of research and scholarship; and for approaching their research with flexibility, adaptability and creativity. (Critical Thinking, Ethics)
  • Intellectual openness and curiosity and an awareness of the limits of current knowledge in their chosen field as well as the links amongst disciplines. (Interdisciplinary Perspective)
  • Understanding of how their research relates to society and, where appropriate, use their research to contribute to wider society, whether within or outside New Zealand, and, where appropriate, to the environment and Māori aspirations. (Global Perspective, Lifelong Learning, Cultural Understanding, Environmental Literacy)
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