Social Care Work Programme Level 8 Research Project and Dissertation Handbook 2026 | MTU

Social Research Project and Dissertation Handbook

Guidelines, Rules, and Regulations.

1. Research Project and Dissertation

The modules Social Research Project SOCI 8013 and Social Research Dissertation SOCI8014- require the student to identify a research- worthy topic about a clearly delineated social care work issue which can be researched. The process starts with creating a systematic draft research proposal, a process which the student is familiar with from the module ‘PSYC7005-Social Research Approaches’ in semester 5.

Students are able to build on and utilise their proposal prepared for PSYC7005 or to create a further proposal on a different topic in accordance with 1.2 ‘Getting Started’ below. The MTU Cork Campus library website also has a valuable resource which can be accessed here: https://library.cit.ie/research/sage-research-methods

The work of the Research Project and Dissertation is spread over the two semesters of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Work. Early in Semester 7, the student is assigned to a supervisor for supervision in a small group of students.  Both modules have a number of assignments attached to them. The supervisor will explain them further.

The research project and dissertation process require the student to:

• Identify a topic and research issue, developing feasible research questions,
• Conduct a review of literature about the topic theory, previous research and any other relevant material.
• Identify and choose an appropriate research design giving reasons for their
• Apply for and acquire formal ethical approval,
• Collect Data
• Analyse Data
• Discuss the topic considering the findings and
• Write up the conclusion and
• Collate all the word-processed chapters and submit the complete work as per these guidelines, rules and regulations for assessment by supervisor and second reader.

The modules are assessed based as per module descriptors which can be found here:

https://mtu.akarisoftware.com/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/24264 and here: https://mtu.akarisoftware.com/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/24501.

It is the student’s responsibility to prepare for and attend supervision

sessions. What you get out of your supervision sessions will depend on how well you prepare for them, and act on the advice given. It is in your best interest to read up on research theory and methodology and to use this knowledge in conducting and writing your research project and dissertation. It is strongly encouraged to use all the facilities of the library: books, journals, online library databases and the critical and cautious use of the internet. The mandatory modules PSYC7005-Social Research Approaches in semester 5, SOCI8002 – Social Research Methods in semester 7 and SOCI8008 Social Research Data Analysis in Semester 8 are essential for conducting the research and choosing and developing a research design.

1.1 Supervision

Supervision is offered in a small group (not more than 2 students) with the assigned lecturer to discuss the various aspects and concerns of your research study. Supervision sessions are in person and 1 hour long. These sessions are there for you to discuss your research with your supervisor and to receive guidance in the planning, administration and analysis of your study and its associated findings. As the research dissertation is an independent, original piece of work do note that the supervisor is not there to do the work for you but rather to guide and direct you. During your meetings you should keep your supervisor informed of your progress and to get the most out of the supervision you should come prepared with ideas, research questions, knowledge of research approaches, proposed research tools, suggestions of data analysis / tentative interpretations, conclusions and recommendations as the research process unfolds. Always keep your supervisor informed of your progress or difficulties you may be facing and avoid skipping supervision.

1.2 Getting started.

Learning about research and how to conduct it started in semester 5 in the Social Research approaches module. In this module you were introduced to the diverse approaches and designs in social research. Although not compulsory, it was advised that it may be beneficial to start working on a research topic which you would later use for your research project and dissertation. Whilst the skills gained in the Social Research Approaches module will be applicable to the dissertation your topic can still be changed in semester 7.

Identify what topics are of particular interest to you and that you would like and be able to carry out a research study in. Then start reading around this topic, looking particularly at journal articles as well as books. Then focus this topic down into specific research issue and ensuing research questions that you would like your study to address and consider how you would go about attempting to answer them in an ethical manner. Based on these considerations final proposal is discuss with the supervisor and presented for assessment.

1.3 Choosing a Research Topic

In choosing a research topic choose an area that is feasible and practical for you to explore, and which is an area you would enjoy researching. Many students often choose to carry out research in centres with which they have links. If you decide to do this, you need to ensure beforehand with supervisors, staff, service users and their families that this would be acceptable to everyone and would be extremely unlikely to affect you or others negatively.

Some centres will require you to submit a proposal before their ethics board to conduct research with staff and/or service users and this is in addition to the internal Departmental ethics clearance. Be advised that if an ethics board of an organization does not approve your request prior to mid-December then it is unlikely that you will be able to complete your project and dissertation.

Be aware that the evaluation is based on your demonstrated competence in following the research process. rather than just the knowledge of the chosen topic.

1.4 Ethical Considerations and requirements

The MTU Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) sets out very clear guidelines and regulations. There are pre-approved forms for Undergraduate Social Care dissertations depending on the chosen research design. These forms can be found here https://www.mtu.ie/research/research-ethics/human-research-ethics/ . You are required to complete the appropriate form and submit it to the department ethics committee by mid- November. Be aware that, as mentioned above, organisational ‘gatekeepers’ may also require you to submit a proposal before their own ethics board. If so, you need to ensure you have sufficient time to do this to submit your dissertation in time.

1.4.1 Ethics training certificate

Students and staff conducting research must undertake mandatory training in conducting research ethically. Please refer to the modules on Canvas for more information.The Research Project and Dissertation co-ordinator together with your supervisor will guide you further on how to access and complete this training which can be found here https://courses.epigeum.com/online-module/497?course_id=448

1.5 Points for consideration

Feasibility: Do ensure that what you wish to do is possible and not over-demanding in terms of time, effort, access to participants and so on. As stated earlier, many organizations have ethical boards, which may only meet twice a year, and thus it may not be possible to undertake your research in such organizations because of time constraints. An interview/discussion with a relevant person, such the gatekeeper, as to interest, contacts and feasibility may be advisable and acknowledged in your account of procedure followed.

Methodology: Ensure that the methodology you select is appropriate to the research issue and research questions you wish to address as well as being within your capabilities as a single researcher with time and word count constraints. Typical methods used include focus groups, secondary research using records / files, surveys, interviews, and observations.

Value: It is worthwhile considering a study that you see as being of worth in terms of job prospects, experience or, perhaps, usefulness to a particular organization with whom you have links.

Literature: Be prepared for a lack of research and theoretical literature on the topic you choose as the social care work field has been relatively neglected in terms of research investigation. If you find little on the topic you wish to pursue then start looking at related topics, for example, whilst there may be little on stress and care work, you find material on stress in general as well as stress in other occupational professions.

Theoretical and: Consider from what perspective(s) you wish to consider your topic. You may wish to approach from a Sociological or Psychological position, and these disciplines will offer various perspectives on the topic.

Participatory standpoints: Similarly, consider the standpoint or positionality of your intended participants e.g. social care worker, social care student, allied professionals etc.…

Objectivity: Research requires you to be able to stand back and be objective.

Consideration thus needs to be paid to how objective you can be in undertaking research on a given topic. If you are heavily biased in any respect regarding the beliefs you have on a given topic, then it may be best not to carry out research on that topic.

1.6  Sample Size

A sample of participants is chosen from a population of potential participants using a clearly defined method of selection. The size of the sample depends on the topic, research questions, aims of the study, access to the population, data collection instruments, and research approach. A quantitative approach typically uses a larger number of participants than a qualitative approach. This is due to assumptions made by different approaches and the type of available data analysis. Analysing quantitative data with less than 30 participants is not likely to yield any meaningful data while conducting 5 semi-structured interviews using thematic analysis is often sufficient. The choice of sample size should be discussed with the supervisor and a clear rationale for the choice should be included in the methodology chapter. Sample size and methods will have been discussed in the Social Research modules.

2.Research Proposal

2.1 What is a Proposal?

• A description of what the dissertation is going to be about, why it is timely and worthwhile and how you intend to carry out the work.
• The kind of research study you intend to
• A document that will help you clarify your research question/s and keep you focused on what you plan to do, how you intend to do it and why.
• A declaration of your intentions to yourself your supervisor and departmental ethics

2.2  Elements of a Proposal

• Study title
• Research Statement
• Overall Research Questions
• Rationale
• Background
• Research Approach
• Research Methods
• Ethical Considerations
• Timeframe
• References
• Appendices

Study Title

Explicit and concise. Focus on what you are intending to do.

You may need to revise it a few times during the course of writing your proposal.

The final title for the purpose of the proposal is likely to emerge at the end of the process of writing the proposal. It is likely that title of the completed dissertation will change further.

Research Statement

A precise research problem / issue.

Overall Research Questions

Clear, concise, and achievable research question(s).

Rationale

A short summary stating what you are going to do and why. Provide clear rationale and justification for your proposed study.

Should address the question: ‘Why are you conducting this research?’

Background

Preliminary brief and focused literature review summarizing the key issues in the existing research evidence, relevant policy, and theory.

Outline the scope of the evidence on your topic and set the scene for your proposed research and the problem you have identified. Put your research in the picture. Frame it!

Chosen Research Approach/ Research Design

Justify briefly why your chosen research design is appropriate for your specific study.

Research Methods

1. Access
2. Sample
3. Data collection methods
4. Data analysis methods
5. Validity and reliability

Research Methods – 1. Access

Describe plans to access the study site and recruit the sample. Outline any collaborators or existing practicing links.

How do you intend to find and contact the research participants? Do you have any contacts in the field maybe from a placement?

Research Methods – 2. Sample

Describe the study population from which you will select a sample and the planned sampling strategy.

Outline the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Who are the people you would like to study?

Why do the people you decide to elicit information from represent this social group?

Research Methods –3. Data Collection Methods

What data / information do you intend to collect and / or measure? What tools/materials do you think useful – surveys interviews/focus groups/observations.

Why are these methods suitable and appropriate? Describe proposed pilot work, proposed trial run.

Research Methods-4. Data Analysis Methods

Proposed methods of data analysis

Any statistical techniques and software tools to be used?

Ensure proposed analysis techniques suit the approach selected.

Research Methods-5. Validity and Reliability

Consider reliability and validity of research instruments.

Can the instruments be trusted in yielding same results in similar conditions? Are the instruments really measuring the phenomenon in question?

Ethical Considerations

Identify how ethical considerations required by MTU’s Research Ethics policies will be complied with. See Sec 1.4

Timeframe: Programme of Work / Schedule

Include a Gannt chart detailing the research study milestones envisaged and your plan of work. (Appendix F).

Is the research study feasible in the time available?

Consider all the resources that you will require to complete the research.

References

Within the proposal references must be relevant, up to date and correctly presented following Harvard guidelines. Include a complete and accurately formatted final reference list. The MTU Library Assignment Toolkit on CANVAS has a section on referencing if a refresher is needed. https://cit.instructure.com/courses/52273

Appendices

Include:

Research Ethics Screening Tool Participant information sheet Consent form

Interview schedule / questionnaire

Any relevant communication

Letters of support for research (if relevant)

3. Oral presentation

A key component of the research process is an oral presentation, which compliments the written presentation of the research study. The oral presentation will be approximately 10 minutes in duration and given to a number of social care work lecturers and students. It should ideally be composed of 4 ingredients.

1. Content and preparation

This should present the research issue and questions, short background, rationale, reference to other studies, choice of research design and rationale, findings, conclusions and recommendations. Clarity, organization, and appropriate use of visuals.

2. Communication

Presentation, voice, non-verbal communication, and quality of delivery

3. Understanding

Demonstration of understanding of topic and critical thinking.

4. Handling of questions

Capability of addressing questions demonstrating knowledge of topic and critical thinking.

When presenting, it is advisable not to have too many power-point slides. You may find it helpful to have a brief script or some talk plan organised on index cards. You will be asked a few questions for example on various features of your study, the implications of your findings, the study strengths and limitations and how you would rectify these if doing the study again.

Oral presentations are typically scheduled for week 13 of semester 8. This date may change subject to the Academic Calendar and/ or the exigences of the Department.

4. Dissertation Submission

4.1 Submission Deadline

The submission deadline for submission is typically set for week 10 of Semester 8. The definite submission date will be posted on Canvas at the beginning of Semester 8. Depending on how the date of Easter falls, this date may fall before or after the Easter break. As per MTU regulations, late submissions will have a 10% deduction for each week that it is over time. Submissions later than two weeks will not be assessed and will be awarded no marks.

Any extension will have to be applied for on an extension request form signed off by your supervisor. The departmental extension form (available on Canvas) must be completed. The maximum period of extension of the deadline is two (2) weeks. Beyond this period, only individual extenuating circumstances will be considered , which if accepted would automatically lead to a deferral to the next assessment period.

MTU rules and regulations apply for individual extenuating circumstances. These can be found https://www.mycit.ie/extenuatingcircumstances

4.2 Format  

The dissertation is to be typed and presented in Microsoft Word format. An electronic copy must be uploaded as an assignment on the Research Dissertation module on Canvas. The upload will be automatically assessed for academic integrity purposes.

4.3 Materials

All raw data i.e. completed questionnaire, transcripts or any relevant artifacts need to be retained until graduation in accordance with MTU policy on data retention.

4.4 Academic Integrity

Plagiarism or falsification of procedure or data is a serious breach of academic conduct and will be penalised. Refer to https://www.mycit.ie/academichonestyandintegrity. Proper referencing and citation are essential to academic integrity. Make sure to cite all sources used in your dissertation accurately and consistently, following the Harvard-referencing style chosen by the department.

4.5  Word Limit

The overall word limit for the dissertation is a maximum of 10,000 words (+/- 10%). The following are EXCLUDED from the word count

Title page; Acknowledgments; Table of contents; Abstract; Reference list; Appendices (if they contain material referred to in the main text).

What is INCLUDED in the word count: Main body of the dissertation; Headings and subheadings; In- text citations/references; Footnotes/Endnotes; Captions for figures/tables; Words within tables or diagrams.

While no specific word limits are set for each section, it is typical that the longest sections tend to be the literature review and the Discussion, conclusion and recommendations chapters. The supervisor will guide you in this matter.

 

PENALTIES: Exceeding the word limit will carry the following penalties: a 5% penalty for being greater than 10-20% over, and a 10% penalty for being greater or equal to 20-30% over, 100% for being greater than 30%. You are warned to respect word count as failure to do so may lead to failing the module.

5. Dissertation Format

Style

Avoid using personal pronouns (I, me, the researcher/author etc.), instead use formal grammar by writing in the third person i.e. instead of writing ‘I carried-out a survey’ write ‘A survey was carried-out’. Further help can be found here: https://library.cit.ie/contentfiles/PDFs/undergraduate_essay_june_2018.pdf

Citing and Referencing

The department of Applied Social Studies adopts the Harvard Referencing style. Sources used in research have evolved, changed and continue to change rapidly. The basic elements of Citing and referencing are: In text citation and reference list. Detailed information of how to cite and reference can be found in the book by Shields and Pears (2022) Cite them Right: the essential referencing guide.

Title page

The title should be understandable, succinct, and appropriate to the content of the study. Title of study should be in the centre of the page with the following in the bottom right corner of the page.

Dissertation presented as part of the requirements for the B.A. (Hons) in Social Care Work in the Cork Institute of Technology. Name; Month; & Year.

Abstract & Keywords

This should be a brief (approx. 100 words) summary giving the essential details of the research issue, questions, design and main findings. It should begin on the second page (ii) headed by the word ‘Abstract’. Keywords should normally not number more than 4. These are words which represent the main concepts that the research addresses.

Acknowledgments

A brief acknowledgment on page three (iii) should be given to those who contributed to your study.

Contents page

This page should be headed ‘Contents’. Word processing software usually includes features which automatically creates contents pages. Click here for instructions.

The table of contents should include the main sections of the dissertation with subsections in each section.

Formatting, Font & Page Numbers

The dissertation should be typed in 12pt Times New Roman, Arial or similar font with double spacing. Even if you are not producing a hard copy use A4 size paper with pages numbered consecutively.

Pages from the abstract until the first page of the introduction should be numbered in an italic roman numerals (i, ii, ii, iv, v… ).

The body of the dissertation should be numbered in Arabic numerals (1,2,3) from the first page of the introduction to the last page of the appendices.

Page numbers should be located centrally at the bottom of the page and about 20mm above the end of the page.

Use headings and subheadings to organize your dissertation into sections and subsections.

All appendices, tables and figures should be numbered and titled (e.g. Table 1 Questionnaire Results).

Appendices and figures should be numbered using a roman numerical format (Appendix I Questionnaire).

Photographs or diagrams, if any, should be incorporated digitally in the text and labelled.

Introduction

Outline what the research is about incorporating the context, your rationale and the purpose of the study i.e. why is it important or useful to investigate the topic. Conclude with a clear set of research questions to be addressed in the dissertation.

Literature Review

A literature review is a critical component of your dissertation, providing context for your research and demonstrating your understanding of existing scholarship in the field. It involves identifying, evaluating, and synthesizing relevant literature related to your topic.

It should proceed from the general to the particular with respect to what your research is on e.g. if your research was on key-working, your introduction might begin with describing residential care, then focus in on care-work in residential care, then the care-work relationship, then key- working then what questions your study set out to address. Reliable sources like peer-reviewed journal articles ought to be used.

Use sub-headings to help structure this section. Be sure to critically interpret rather than just describe the material you refer to.

Key theoretical perspectives and research studies pertinent to your research study should be included any relevant demographic or statistical information in addition to possible relevant governmental / European / U.N. policies, legislation, inquiry reports, or media comments.

Methodology

This chapter is typically divided into four sub-sections.

Design: Describe the study design (i.e. its type – mixed methods, qualitative, quantitative, single case; longitudinal; cross-sectional; cross-sequential etc…) and research instruments (i.e. survey; interview; focus group; observation).

It should establish the connection between the chosen methodology and the research problem – e.g. a qualitative design to investigate SCW perspectives on a practice. Explain your choice of method(s) used in relation to the overall research questions.

Participants: Information on the characteristics of your sample (number; age; sex, etc.) Specify any inclusion/exclusion criteria. Use tables if appropriate. Identify the type of sampling method (random; stratified; purposive; convenience etc.) employed for each research tool/method. Refer to an appendix for any approval letters.

Materials: Provide a detailed description of each primary research method e.g. questionnaires, interview schedules, standardised measures including the reasoning behind their content/format and copies of these provided in an appendix. It is indicative of a good research tool that questions are not chosen ‘out of thin air’ but rather are included because of past research/theory/policy and pertinence to the research questions.

For example, ‘A 20 item questionnaire was developed for the purpose of this study. Areas covered in the questionnaire included: care work practices (5 items) key-working and children (5 items) training and key-working (5 items) key-working strengths and limitations (5 items). The items in the care work practice section were based on Murphy’s (2011) research study and the HIQA standards……..

Procedure: Outline how the study was carried-out (including any piloting) in chronological order (step by step format). This section provides a timeline for when each chapter was completed and in which order. Therefore, creating a timeframe as to when both primary and secondary research was conducted.

Ethical guidelines (see Sec 1.4) followed should be referred to here with clear detail given on how they were followed and applied. If lengthy these should be placed in an appendix. If approval was secured through an external research ethics board, this should be identified here as well, and copies of the ethics application form and approval letter included in the appendices.

Data Analysis / Findings

Your data analysis approach and presentation of key or salient results depends on the research design and tools. Quantitative approaches with closed questions are likely to be presented in a data analysis chapter. Qualitative approaches are likely to produce more textual type of data, this is typically presented as findings. If a mixed method is used, Findings is probably the most appropriate title for this chapter.

All the data needs to be reduced.

Quantitative data is typically reduced as descriptive statistics which give an overall summary of all the data in the form of frequency tables, graphs, matrices and charts. It may also lead to inferential statistics, where different variables are compared to explore for associations. This kind of analysis is dependent on sampling procedures and sample size and should always be discussed with the supervisor.

Qualitative data in social science research is often distilled by looking at emerging themes. This requires thematic analysis which includes coding and identification of themes. The use of tables or matrices can be used for clarity.

It is important to remember that the research tools would have been developed based on the research questions. However, one should not assume that the emerging themes will necessarily answer research questions specifically.

Discussion

Together with the Literature Review chapter, this chapter is probably the most important chapter. It calls for an understanding of what your results show in the context of past research, theory and policy along with their implications and a critical appraisal of the research process followed. Interpreting what the results show, how they relate to theory, past research, policy and what they imply for practice and so forth is crucial.

Often quotes from focus groups, interviews, specific answers from questionnaires etc., are also used to elaborate or support key findings. The extent to which the research questions you identified in your introduction section were answered should be considered in this section.

An advised sub-section of this chapter deals with the identification of the strengths and limitations of the research undertaken. Suggestions as to how the limitations could be addressed in future research should be presented. Any difficulties in coding answers or in interpreting answers given in interviews should be discussed with consideration given as to how future research could overcome such problems by a reformulation of a question. This sub- section incorporates a consideration of sampling, reliability, validity and generalisability issues in relation to the study. Researcher reflexivity refers to examining one’s own assumptions, positionality and beliefs and considering if and how these may have influenced the research process. Such a critical reflection can establish rigour in research.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Discussion chapter should include a conclusion and recommendations. The dissertation should conclude with a ‘wrapping up’, a ‘bringing it all together’, an insightful synopsis which provides a coherent, interpretation of the research as a whole. This is an important aspect of the dissertation enabling the reader to ‘make sense’ of the research in its entirety. A few (min. 2 max. 4) recommendations should be made. These should be justified based on results from the research and should be clear, concise and self-explanatory.

Reference List

A reference list is the list of sources that were actually used and cited in the dissertation. It is NOT the same as a Bibliography. Every in-text citation should have a reference in the reference list in alphabetical order of author’s surname. The Harvard style must be followed. See style section.

Appendices

Copies of materials used e.g. letters with sensitive data redacted, informed consent form, questionnaires, interview or focus group schedule, content or coding analysis system, instructions, ethics form /guidelines, debriefing material.

6. Research Project and Dissertation timelines

Deadlines

There are several deadlines that need to be adhered to in the research project and dissertation.

These are outlined in the module descriptor of Social Research project in the 7^th semester.

The penultimate deadline is the submission of the final Dissertation. This is usually the last day of the 10th Week of Semester 8 (Sem2 of SCW level 8)

Since some of these dates may differ from one year to the other, they will be posted on Canvas in the beginning of each semester.

The final ‘deadline’ is the date of the oral presentation which will typically take place in week 13 of Semester 8.

Appendix A – Progress Report

Student Name:                                                                                                       Supervisor:            

The progress report allows students and supervisors to see clearly where you are at with each section of the dissertation

Please circle ONE option per section that reflects the status of your progress

 Outline what direction the research is taking incorporating an academic rationale / value / purpose of the study i.e. why is it important or useful to investigate the topic on which the research study is based.

Conclude with a clear set of research questions or hypotheses to be addressed in the dissertation.

Key theoretical perspectives and research studies pertinent to your research study should be included as well any relevant demographic or statistical information in addition to relevant governmental / European /

U.N. policies, legislation, inquiry reports, or media comments.

Structure of Lit Review Chapter: Write a brief introduction that addresses the content of the chapter, use sub-headings to structure the literature review and close with a summarising conclusion and the research questions.

Address the sub-sections of this section describing your design, sampling, materials, procedure and ethics. Explain how your research addressed ethical considerations.

It can be effective to use your research questions to structure this section. Describe and briefly interpret your findings- (this shows/implies that….)

A statistical and/or qualitative account of the findings using tables/cross-tabulations and graphs, recommended maximum of 6 (key findings only).

With qualitative data quotes and conversational excerpts can be used to illustrate findings. Identify points of agreement/disagreement where appropriate. Very long quotes should be placed in an appendix.

Identify key findings at the end of this section.

This section calls for an understanding of what the results show in the context of previous research and theory, and their implications. Interpreting what the results show and what they imply for practice and so forth is crucial.

The research questions you identified in your Introduction need to be addressed using your research findings and related research, policy and so forth identified in your literature review. Often quotes from focus groups / interviews, specific answers from questionnaires etc. might be used to elaborate or buttress key findings.

The layout of this chapter can vary from narrative/essay style to a more structured version divided by subheadings which may be the research questions. The student can decide, with input/advice from their supervisor, as to which they prefer or is best suited.

Strengths and Limitations of the research need to be discussed in a distinct sub-section considering the reliability, validity and generalizability of the research. Reading on research methods is essential here.

The chapter should conclude with an insightful synopsis and may include recommendations (1-3), justified by the findings, or if preferred these can be discussed in a separate section.

Recommendations (1-3) must be concise and explained with reference to the research findings. A strong recommendation includes justification based on the findings and detail on who ought to be responsible for implementing the recommendation

Student Signature                                                                                                          Date

Appendix B -Gantt Chart

RESEARCH PROJECT AND DISSERTATION GANTT CHART FOR SOCIAL CARE WORK – MTU