Section outline

  • Course Overview

    This course provides guidance on planning an effective final research project, undergraduate dissertation, or capstone thesis. It covers topics such as refining your research question, choosing your data collection method, creating a schedule, and working with a supervisor. While examples have a social science focus, the key learning is applicable across disciplines. 

    Learning Outcomes

    This course will help you to:

    1. Identify the steps involved in planning and undertaking a final research project  
    2. Refine your research topic to develop strong research questions 
    3. Evaluate the different methodological approaches to collecting research data 
    4. Create a schedule to help manage your time and workload 

    • Course Instructors

      • Dr. Charlotte Brookfield

        Dr. Charlotte Brookfield is a Reader at Cardiff University’s School of Social Sciences. Her research interests include the place of quantitative research methods in the social sciences. Since 2020, Charlotte has been the co-director of Cardiff University’s Q-Step Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning Quantitative Methods. In this role, Charlotte plays a pivotal role in engaging with external partners who offer meaningful placement opportunities for students, allowing students to practice and finesse their research methods skills in an authentic workplace context. Charlotte is an editor of the journal International Social Research Methodology and has a book called Completing Your Research Project with Jamie. For several years she has co-convened a large final year undergraduate dissertation module, also with Jamie.

        View Bio for Dr. Charlotte Brookfield

      • Dr. Jamie Lewis

        Dr. Jamie Lewis is a Reader in Sociology at the School of Social Sciences (SOCSI), Cardiff University. His research is mainly situated in the Sociology of Science and Technology Studies. He’s Director of post-graduate taught studies in SOCSI, Co-convenor of the large final year undergraduate dissertation module with Charlotte, and has developed courses and lectures on the sociology of disaster, monsters and mysteries, public engagement with science and technology, and society and genetics. Presently, he’s one of the editors of the journal Qualitative Research and an external examiner at the University College London (UCL). With Charlotte, he has a book called Completing Your Research Project.

        View Bio for Dr. Jamie Lewis

      • Pre-Course Self Assessment

        Before you dive into this course, spend a few moments reflecting on your familiarity with the topic and your current level of skills confidence. 

        You will then re-visit the same questions in our Post-Course Self Assessment and reflect on how the course has helped you develop in confidence and grow your skills. 

        • Module One: Making Sense of a Social Science Dissertation

          This module will help you to:

          1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of doing a dissertation   
          2. Identify the skills you’ll need to undertake a dissertation   
          3. Distinguish the structure of a dissertation  
          4. Recognize the steps involved in planning and undertaking a dissertation 

        • Module Two: Choosing a Research Topic

          This module will help you to:

          1. Recognize the advantages and disadvantages of different research topics    
          2. Identify a research topic that’s suitable for your dissertation  
          3. Refine your research topic to achieve solid research questions 

        • Module Three: Choosing Your Methodology

          This module will help you to:

          1. Distinguish between quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection  
          2. Evaluate the different methodological approaches to collecting data   
          3. Compare primary and secondary forms of data collection and analysis   
          4. Recognize the ethical concerns associated with your project 

        • Module Four: Planning a Schedule and Working With Your Supervisor

          This module will help you to:

          1. Recognize the importance of good time management    
          2. Identify competing commitments, interim deadlines, and potential obstacles and how to mitigate them    
          3. Create a schedule to help manage your time  
          4. Build a strong working relationship with your supervisor 

        • Glossary of Key Terms

          In addition to the glossary you’ll find woven throughout the course, you can find the full glossary collated in one place here.

        • Post-Course Self Assessment

          Now you’ve completed the course, spend a few moments reflecting on where your familiarity with the topics and your confidence skills levels are at now. 

          Has the course helped you develop new skills and grow your confidence?

          You'll need to complete the Post-Course Self Assessment in order to download your certificate. If you didn't do the Pre-Course Self Assessment before starting the course, please go to the top of the page and reflect on your familiarity with the topic and your level of skills confidence before you started the course.

          • Completion: Certificate

            Completing all modules (plus the pre and post-course assessments) will unlock the course certificate, which you can then download here. Your course certificate will only be made available once you have completed all these sections.

            If you have difficulty accessing your certificate, please contact the Sage support team at: onlinesupport@sagepub.co.uk. You can also check out this FAQ page which may be helpful.

            • Give Feedback About This Course

              Did you enjoy the course? Please take two minutes to share your feedback. We use learner feedback in future course updates and developments to provide an excellent learning experience.

            • Accessibility

              We have high standards of accessibility on Sage Campus and as of May/June 2024 all activities within this course are keyboard and screen reader compatible. For more details on accessibility standards, please see the Sage Campus Accessibility Guide.

              For those using assistive technology, please note that within this course:

              • Tab components: JAWS and NVDA behave slightly differently. For NVDA to keep reading, it is best to exit focus mode and go back to browse mode. 
              • Matching: JAWS does not read out question label on dropdown focus.