Dr Leon Wansleben STC S208

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Economy, Risk and Society . This course is not available as an outside option.

Risk, Regulation and Economic Life (SO425)

The dissertation is an extended piece of written work that that is your own independent research investigation of a human rights issue or problem, undertaken with the guidance of your dissertation supervisor. In the dissertation, you will critically appraise evidence, arguments and debates to reach a conclusion your research question.  The key requirement is that the dissertation should demonstrate a high level of independent critical ability. You must show your ability to organise your material clearly and logically and to sustain a reasoned and cogent argument from beginning to end. Where appropriate you should explain clearly the research method(s) that you have applied and the reasons for your choice of approach. You should show awareness of any shortcomings of your study in relation to methods employed and where relevant, quality or quantity of the data, and disciplinary approach.

2 hours of seminars in the MT. 2 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

There will be one Introductory lecture in MT for all MSc Economy, Risk and Society students, on the challenges and requirements of doing independent research for dissertation purposes, and different methodologies available for an interdisciplinary programme. The LT and ST sessions will cover fieldwork and research ethics. Students will work in smaller groups, in which they present and discuss possible research questions and strategies, along with preparing the dissertation and timeline.

There will be two workshops during MT for ALL MSc students based in the Sociology department. These will one taught in conjunction with LSE Life and programme convenors, and aim to provide some basic guidance about planning your dissertation, such as selecting a suitable topic, reviewing the existing literature, devising a research question and designing a research method.

Students are required to submit two pieces of work; one topic proposal during MT, and a formal abstract at end of LT.

• Alan Bryman, Social Research Methods (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004)

• Clive Seale, The Quality of Qualitative Research (London: Sage, 1999)

• Clive Seale (ed), Researching Society and Culture (London: Sage, 2012)

• Howard Becker, Writing for Social Scientists (Chicago:  University of Chicago, 1986)

Dissertation (100%, 10000 words) post-summer term.

Two hard copies of the dissertation, with submission sheets attached to each, to be handed in to the Administration Office, S116, no later than 16:00 on Thursday 16th of August 2018 if you are a full-time student and in the subsequent year if you are a part-time student. An additional copy to be uploaded to Moodle no later than 18:00 on the same day.

Dissertations may be up to and no more than 10,000 words, must be word-processed and be fully referenced using a recognised citation system.