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DE5044: MSC DISSERTATION - ADVANCED GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE (2023-2024)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 10:43


Course Overview

This course offers students the opportunity to complete a substantial piece of data-driven, empirical work within the field of restorative dentistry. It involves working on an independent research project under the supervision of an experienced researcher prior to completion of a write up in the style of an academic article for publication. Alongside supervisors, students will identify a suitable topic area, describe an appropriate study design and implement an empirical study.  Students will be involved alongside the supervisors in the process of defining the research question, and developing the research plan, and where appropriate obtaining all regulatory approvals.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term Full Year Credit Points 20 credits (10 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Ian Jones

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • DE5049 Clinical Dentistry 4 (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Individual research projects are student and supervisor led. The student will manage their project under the guidance and support of the supervisor(s) to ensure a piece of high-quality research is completed. It is an opportunity to implement and gain experience of the key skills required whilst completing a piece of research. This includes self-management, applying the skills you have acquired during the taught component of the program, learning new practical research techniques and to extend your expertise in critical appraisal and discussion of a specific topic when communicating your findings using different formats. 

Teaching and learning for this course will predominantly involve close supervision from experienced researchers. You will be expected to spend around 600 hours in total on this course, including meetings, project planning, data collection, data analysis, and write-up.

Timing: 27 weeks part time.

Your project will give you direct experience of managing and delivering a clinical education study/project in a non-laboratory setting. You can tailor your project to an area of interest in clinical education and relevant to your practice. You will complete a piece of data-driven, empirical work related to clinical education. You will be supported and supervised through your project by an experienced researcher and someone who has experience in your particular project area.

With the help of your supervisors, you will:

  • Identify a suitable topic area
  • Define your project question
  • Develop the project plan
  • Where appropriate, obtain all ethical, regulatory, and institutional/departmental approvals.

By the end of the project, you will be able to:

  • Critically review relevant literature to produce an evidence-based problem statement
  • Develop a clear question or hypothesis to address the identified project problem
  • Describe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the project question or hypothesis
  • Demonstrate practical experience with data creation, collection, and management.
  • Analyse, interpret, and present project data appropriately
  • Communicate project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all relevant regulatory, professional, and ethical standards, where relevant
  • Demonstrate professional practice in the management of the project including time management, record keeping, confidentiality, communication, and teamwork

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Research Journal

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 20
Assessment Weeks 38 Feedback Weeks 41

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all regulatory, professional and ethical standards, where relevant.
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis .
ProceduralEvaluateDemonstrate practical expertise with data creation, collection and management.
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate self-direction planning tasks, problem-solving and professional practice through the management of research project including time-management, confidentiality, communication and teamwork.

Research Symposium

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks 26 Feedback Weeks 29

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Feedback

Marked following a rubric for oral presentations.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all regulatory, professional and ethical standards, where relevant.
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis .
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse, interpret and present project data appropriately.
ProceduralEvaluateDiscuss results within the context of the wider literature and synthesise appropriate conclusions and project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline.

Academic Paper

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 38 Feedback Weeks 41

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all regulatory, professional and ethical standards, where relevant.
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis .
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse, interpret and present project data appropriately.
ProceduralEvaluateDiscuss results within the context of the wider literature and synthesise appropriate conclusions and project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline.
ProceduralEvaluateCritically review relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis with clearly defined objectives which address the identified problem statement.

Formative Assessment

Project Plan, Summary or Abstract

Assessment Type Formative Weighting
Assessment Weeks 14 Feedback Weeks 17

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Feedback

Feedback will be given to students following a rubric.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualApplyDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all regulatory, professional and ethical standards, where relevant.
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis .
ProceduralEvaluateCritically review relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis with clearly defined objectives which address the identified problem statement.
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate self-direction planning tasks, problem-solving and professional practice through the management of research project including time-management, confidentiality, communication and teamwork.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ProceduralEvaluateDiscuss results within the context of the wider literature and synthesise appropriate conclusions and project outputs according to recognised standards and format within discipline.
ConceptualApplyDemonstrate knowledge of and compliance with all regulatory, professional and ethical standards, where relevant.
ReflectionApplyDemonstrate self-direction planning tasks, problem-solving and professional practice through the management of research project including time-management, confidentiality, communication and teamwork.
ProceduralEvaluateCritically review relevant literature to produce an evidence–based problem statement.
ProceduralEvaluateDevelop a clear research question or hypothesis with clearly defined objectives which address the identified problem statement.
ConceptualCreateDescribe and justify the methodological approach adopted to address the research question or hypothesis .
ProceduralEvaluateDemonstrate practical expertise with data creation, collection and management.
ProceduralAnalyseAnalyse, interpret and present project data appropriately.

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