• red Literature Review
In selecting this option you will undertake an in-depth review of existing published primaryresearchon a specific topic. Conducting a Structured Literature Review (SLR) involves a ‘desk top’ review using specific, explicit and therefore reproducible methodological strategies to select, analyse, synthesise and present critical commentary on previously published primary research studies with the purpose of answering a specified and highly focused research question.
Completing a Structured Literature Review will enable you to develop and demonstrate your research skills in conducting an in-depth critical review, quality assessment of empirical work,data extraction and analysis. This provides the opportunity to synthesise the results of existing primary research studies to answer a specific question. To meet with the learning outcomes for the dissertation module, undertaking a SLR entails developing a highly focused and appropriate research question that is relevant to your discipline/professional background. This will be associated with appraising primary research which:
• Evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention (i.e. focusing on Quantitative studies)
This should allow you to appraise a narrow range of studies (normally between 4-6 primary research studies)linked to the clearly defined area of investigation. Ethical approval is not normally required to undertake a structured review.
NB Whilst there is varying terminology associated with ‘reviewing literature’, pleaseavoid undertaking an integrative review (i.e. a combination of qualitative and quantitative studies); a review of published systematic reviews or scoping studies (i.e. inclusion wide range of different types of studies which are mapped, characterised and categorised in term of their results and features). These types of reviews are more complex and demanding in nature and would be difficult to complete in the specified time frame for this Masters Framework Dissertation.
Master Dissertation Assessment Criteria
Assessment of the Masters Dissertation is based on your ability to produce an in-depth piece of scholarship based on inquiry that demonstrates you have engaged with current debate within the literature, data analysis and evaluation of findings in order to consider the inherent implications.
The Assessment Matrix informs assessment of the Masters Dissertation for Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework (level 11), which outlines the generic expectations of Master’s level study (please refer to appendices). This matrix clarifies that masters candidates are required to demonstrate a systematic comprehension and understanding of current issues/problems/challenges/insights in a related field/area of practice; application of research techniques; originality in knowledge transfer; conceptual understanding which permits criticality, reasoning and evaluation. Consequently, the following module specific criteria underpin the assessment of the Dissertation:
• Demonstrates internal consistency and originality in undertaking the study
• Evidences criticality and evaluation in the use of information to present and sustain reasoned arguments
• Justifies methodological approach and appropriateness of methods deployed to enable research inquiry
• Demonstrates appropriate methods of data analysis, presentation and discussion of findings
• Draws appropriate conclusions from key findings and offers appropriate recommendations
Presents a dissertation in an appropriate, logical, coherent and concise format to comply with academic convention
Module Learning Outcomes
A number of learning outcomes are associated with undertaking the dissertation project. These are outlined in the following extract from the approved module descriptor:
On completion of this module the student should be able to:
• Critically utilise a range of search strategies to identify literature related to the area of interest
• Critically evaluate related literature related to the area of interest
• Provide a systematic critical account forstructured literature review
• Synthesise knowledge and theory from a range of sources
• Reflect and critically comment on any procedural issues/problems which may have arisen
• Evaluate the significance of the findings associated with undertaking a structured literature review
• Critically and creatively comment on the findings potential to contribute to the relevant areas of professional practice
• Produce, in a standard format, a comprehensive focused research report which meets the aim and objective of having undertaken aStructured Literature Review.
Structuring the Component Parts of the Masters Dissertation
Whether undertaking empirical study or a structured literature review, the components of the dissertation will be similar in that it should contain discrete sections and chapters, which reflect the following:
Front Cover Page – details study title, student’s name, Degree Programme, Matriculation Number, date/month/year presented, word count
Second Page – Declaration of Authenticity – statement, as noted above, confirming that the dissertation is your work
Abstract – orientates reader, a succinct outline of the study approach and findings
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents Page – by number, lists major sections and sub-divisions and indicates page number
List of tables/Figures/illustrations/list of appendices
List of Abbreviations/Glossary
Suggested Outline of Chapters for a Structured Literature Review:
1-Introduction – Context and background literature, which presents the topic area, rationale to conduct the study, appraisal of prior work in the field, identifies where your work may contribute to the knowledge base 1000 words
2-Methodology – critically discusses the methods/techniques deployed to identify eligible studies, their appraisal and analysis to underpin the study 2500 words
3-Literature review (4500 words )
4-Results ( 3000 words ) and 5-Discussion( 2500 words )– details outcome of search strategy; identification of relevant studies, quality appraisal, data analysis and synthesis of data; study limitations; findings are critically discussed and evaluated, offers comparison with prior work discussed in the literature review chapter, consideration of implications
6-Conclusion and recommendations( 500 words )– draws the findings together to provide a reasoned argument; summarises the key findings; identifies areas for further research.
7-References – identification of sources, which have been cited to support the critical inquiry.
8-Appendices – important information, which is best, placed in this section to avoid distracting the argument /discussion in text.
**Students may require producing significant supplementary detail in conducting a SLR. Consequently, thought should be given to the utility offered by appendices and their creative use in capturing important information beyond that which needs to be needs to be included, for example, from the search, quality assessment or data extraction.
