Dissertation
30 Credits (ECTS)
Dissertation
Get 70% back via Tax Credit
€525 refund on this module
Module Description
The dissertation stands as a mandatory component within the MSc in Elderly Care Management program, serving dual purposes crucial to academic and professional growth.
Primarily, it aims to foster the creation of an original research piece on a meticulously defined topic within the realm of elderly care management.
This undertaking encourages students to delve into uncharted territories, critically analyze existing literature, and potentially contribute novel insights to the field.
Furthermore, the dissertation serves as a vehicle for students to cultivate a deeper understanding of elderly care management within the broader context of their academic program.
Through rigorous research and scholarly inquiry, students not only expand their knowledge base but also hone their analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Moreover, the dissertation provides an avenue for students to develop their capabilities and attitudes towards elderly care management, nurturing a sense of responsibility, empathy, and ethical awareness essential for effective leadership in the field.
Ultimately, the dissertation represents a transformative educational experience that empowers students to make meaningful contributions to the advancement of elderly care management practices and policies.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- a Level 6 degree in a related field;
OR
- a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a supervisory or managerial role.
Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in a discipline related elderly care and a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management within the sector.
Target Audience
The target group covers, but is not limited to:
- Care Home Managers and Directors
- Personnel involved in the administration of care to the elderly
- Educators
- Welfare Officers
- Human Resources and Operations Managers involved in the administration of care for the elderly
- Middle Management (such as. senior care workers etc.)
- Personnel involved in family counselling and counselling of the elderly
- Nurses
- Medical Doctors
- Allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, dieticians etc.
Module / Unit Instructions
Student is to produce an original piece of research on a clearly defined topic.
It is the most substantial piece of independent research work done by the student and may not be shorter than 22,000 words and not to exceed 25,000 words.
Student will receive a support of the assigned Dissertation Supervisor during that period. Supervised time is 10 hours.
Student can meet with supervisor face to face, via Skype or communicate via email or phone calls.
The Role of Dissertation Supervisor:
- Help decide the topic of dissertation and advise about primary and secondary reading.
- Help with formulating ideas and hypotheses.
- Discuss the progress of work with students · Offer guidance on the proposed structure.
- Require students to produce drafts of sections or chapters of the dissertation.
- Offer feedback on some of student drafts, which you can then revise.
- Advise about the organisation of dissertation into sections or chapters.
- Advise about matters of presentation, such as the title page, contents page, pagination, footnoting and bibliography.
Additionally, student will be provided with a manual/guideline for the submission of the research proposal and dissertation to be presented during Research Methods module and one more time at the beginning of this component.
Students are strongly encouraged to use any of the following Research Methodologies:
- Quantitative Research
- Qualitative Research
- Mixed Methods
How you’ll be assessed
This module shall be assessed through a dissertation not shorter than 22,000 words and no longer than 25,000 words to be submitted via online portal.
Dissertation marking guidelines will emphasize originality, clarity, and candidate’s critical abilities.
Dissertation Grading Structure:
- Between 86 and over – Pass with Distinction
- Between 71-85 – Pass with Credit
- Between 56 to 70 – Pass with Merit
- Between 41 and 55 – Pass
- 40 and less– Fail
Final, MSc in Elderly Care Management qualification grade is a weighted score of: –
- Final Modular Grades – 60%
- Final Dissertation Grade – 40%
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Additional Info
Reading for the entire Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Elderly Care Management as presented in this brochure costs €8,500.*
Upon successfully completing the course, you will be able to get 70% of the course fees back through the Get Qualified scheme.**
Due to the modular structure of the course, you may also opt to take individual modules as stand-alone. The entry requirements still apply.***
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
**Terms and conditions apply.
*** For the price of individual modules, please contact the IDEA Academy team.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
1: Establishing a Research Territory
- Show that the general research area is important, central, interesting, problematic, or relevant
- Present and review items of previous research in the area
- Be conscious and responsible for the ethical aspects of research and development work
2: Creating a Niche
- Indicate a gap in the previous research, or extend previous knowledge in some way
- Contribute to research and development work
3: Occupying the Niche
- Outline purposes or state the nature of the present research
- Comply research questions or hypotheses
- Announce principal findings
- State the value of the present research
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
Students will be able to critically analyse the rationale, significance and implications of the following topics as a consolidation to previous module 7 (Research Methods):
- Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
- Mix Methods
- Topic Selection
- Research Questions and Hypothesis
- Structure of research paper
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Identify a research problem with a managerial perspective.
- Formulate the research problem precisely.
- Critically review and synthesise the relevant literature on the subject area in order to construct a conceptual framework to underpin research.
- Apply an appropriate methodology for collecting and for analysing primary and secondary data with due regard to ethical considerations.
- Interpret and present data clearly and critically discuss the findings.
- Appraise the implications of the research outcomes to managerial professional practice.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.