Getting started
This is essentially a collection of pieces of paper which should provide you with the information which you will require as you work through the PED module. Firstly, there is the module descriptor and the assessment criteria for the module, (see Appendix 1 & 2), as set down in the APS course document (February 1997). Please read these carefully so that you know what is expected of you at the end of the module.

The supervision process
The Code of Practice for the supervision of MSc students is reproduced, (see appendix 4). This is also issued to all PED supervisors so that both parties are aware of their roles and responsibilities during the module. Early in the module you will be expected to agree, in negotiation with your supervisor, the date at which you intend to submit your final report. While this may be changed at a later date, you should try not to be too ambitious in order that you will be likely to meet the date identified. This date must be lodged within 4 weeks of your first meeting with the supervisor and a copy of the submission form is given, (see appendix 5).

Working with your supervisor
Each relationship between a student and supervisor tends to be unique and the way you negotiate and plan the support your require should reflect this. It is your responsibility to keep in touch with your supervisor and to follow through on advice given, particularly in face-to-face meetings.

The first meeting with your supervisor
An essential part of the first meeting is to establish a good working relationship with your supervisor. They will have received the synopsis of your proposal that was discussed by the Review Panel and a copy of the letter sent to you thereafter. You should reflect on these comments and consider what action, if any, you intend to take. This, though, should only be a small part of the meeting and should not detract from the main task which is to consider the amount and type of support needed for different parts of your project; reading, conducting the research/enquiry and writing it up.

Keeping a record of contacts
The supervision log is an important part of the process and you should ensure that it is completed at the conclusion of each meeting and action agreed, (see appendix 6). Students and supervisors are jointly responsible for agreeing the supervision contract and the completion of the supervision log. You are responsible for your own learning and for the timely submission of any agreed work to your supervisor. You are also responsible for giving satisfactory explanations for failure to do so to your supervisor and to keep that relationship in good order. In most cases, both parties enjoy the work and find it intellectually satisfying. If you are having difficulties, the Module co-ordinator may ask to see this log.

Review of Progress in PED
As this module is an independent study module with supervision, which is likely to take a student between 1-2 years to complete, each student is required to provide interim reports to the Module co-ordinator. A copy of this is provided in Appendix 7. This report is not intended to be a time-consuming exercise to complete, rather a way of recognising the achievements to date with the module, reviewing progress against your time plan and setting appropriate targets for the next 6 month period in light of the above. This information should be completed in consultation with your tutor and this dialogue should assist in addressing any issues of concern.

There may be other issues you wish to raise with the Module co-ordinator at this time, e.g, change of date of submission, problems with the supervision process or other technical details and they can be included also. This procedure will allow us to keep better track of student progress and hopefully lead to fewer cases where students do not submit their work for assessment. These forms will be sent to you as required, approximately 2 months prior to required date for their return.

Assessment
Appendix 10 sets out the University's regulations for the format and submission of theses. As you begin to compile your thesis/report, you should read these carefully as they contain information on how it should be set out, e.g. the font size and the width of margins. You could waste considerable amounts of time at the later stages of your study if you fail to take account of this advice at an earlier point. Appendices 8 & 9 set out the procedures which you, and we, are required to follow once you have completed the module. Again, make sure you are clear about what you should do, and when, at an early date. The official forms which should accompany any submission are illustrated, as is a copy of the form which each assessor will complete to grade your thesis, (Appendix 3).

If you have any additional queries, please contact either the Course Director, Ann Glen in the Professional Development Unit at Jordanhill.

Appendix 1

Professional Enquiry and Development Module (60SM)
This module descriptor is taken from the APS Course Document, February 1997.

Rationale
This is a four module Independent Study Module (60SM credit points) which forms the final, compulsory, element in the M.Sc. programme. It involves carrying out an investigative and/or developmental programme of professional relevance to the student and will be assessed on the basis of a report of approximately 10,000 - 15,000 words. The work enables and obliges students to draw on the skills and insights acquired in the other eight units of the Masters programme.

Objectives
The objectives or learning outcomes are essentially described by the assessment criteria.

Supervision
Students will be offered ten hours of individual supervision for the completion of the four module unit. A supervision contract will be agreed between each student and tutor and logs detailing contact between them will be maintained by both student and tutor.

Assessment
Submission of an 10,000 - 15,000 word report.

Assessment Criteria
Candidates for the award at Masters level will be required to:-

satisfy the general assessment criteria for all modules;
satisfy any special assessment criteria for the particular study which have been negotiated with Faculty staff and approved by the Programme Committee, (and in turn the Academic Affairs Committee); and
satisfy the specific criteria for the Professional Enquiry and Development Module. (See Appendix 2 for details).

The examiners for the Professional Enquiry and Development Module may, if they consider it appropriate, require any candidate for the Masters award to present himself or herself for an oral examination.

Details of these criteria are listed in Appendix 2 below

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Appendix 2

Assessment Criteria for the PED module

For all modules, the following general and procedural criteria must be met: -

General Criteria for all Modules
All summative assessment will to demonstrate that the standard which students achieve is at the level appropriate to postgraduate study. Therefore in addition to satisfying any module specific criteria, students will only be deemed to have achieved a satisfactory standard for any module if they;

display evidence of professional development;
display ability to learn independently;
display a critical grasp of concepts and principles related to the module through appropriate use of language, analysis of situations, response to problems and choice of research methodology;
display ability to locate, comprehend and critically analyse information from published literature;
distinguish, where appropriate, between data and inferences using relevant evidence and logically valid arguments;
display proper ethical standards of behaviour (crucially in dealing with confidential data).

Procedural Criteria

material for assessment must be presented in a structured, clear and coherent form;
work for assessment must be submitted by a previously agreed date;
any required written work must be presented at a length which is within previously prescribed or negotiated limits;
sources of evidence, crucially relevant literature, must be cited in a form which facilitates easy access by others to the original sources.

Specific criteria for PED

carry out a reasonably substantial investigative and/or developmental programme which has an appropriate conceptual and methodological perspective, and a proper professional justification;
demonstrate a progression in professionally-related learning which builds on previous experiences in other studies counting towards the award and shows how this development has been achieved;
undertake a comprehensive study of relevant background reading which identifies the relevant theoretical and analytical perspectives and deals critically with the arguments raised;
synthesise theoretical and professional insights derived from the literature and other sources;
exemplify, and explicitly justify, the use of appropriate research and enquiry methods, at a level which examiners would generally expect of an individual taking the programme of enquiry/development;
display an ability to reflect critically upon the learning resulting from the enquiry/development and to identify strengths and limitations within the field generally;
display sufficient breadth of view to be able to relate his/her own work in the programme of enquiry/development, meaningfully, to the wider professional, social and intellectual context in which it is situated;
show due care for professional and academic standards in the field within which the programme of enquiry/development lies.

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Internal Assessor Report Form
Appendix 3

University of Strathclyde
MSc Thesis

Faculty of Education
Internal Assessor’s Report

Supervisor / Second Assessor/ Third Assessor

Student : Thesis Title :

MSc in

The thesis submitted for examination satisfies the criteria specified.

The thesis submitted for examination satisfies the criteria specified subject to

minor amendments.

The thesis does not satisfy the criteria specified.

Explanation and comment

These comments refer to the specific criteria (a) - (h) and (i) covers the general and procedural criteria for the course.

(a) Carry out a reasonably substantial investigation: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(b) Professionally related learning: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(c) Reading to identify theoretical & analytical perspectives: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(d) Synthesising insights from a variety of sources: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(e) Justify methodology: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(f) Critical reflection on learning: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(g) Breadth of view: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(h) Standards: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

(i) General & Procedural Criteria: Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory

General comments:

Signed : Date :

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Appendix 4

Code of practice for the supervision of MSc students

The responsibilities of your Supervisor include:

Giving guidance about the nature of research and the standards required, about the planning of a research programme, about literature and sources (including the avoidance of plagiarism) and about requisite techniques.
Establishing, within four weeks of the start of supervision, the date at which you agree you should submit the results of your investigation for assessment. If you find you cannot meet this date, an extension may be granted by the Programme Director, Ann Glen. If an extension is not obtained, the agreed date will be regarded as the date of first submission, with one further submission being allowed.
Maintaining regular and frequent contact with you and being accessible at other appropriate times when you need advice, within the limits of the time allowed.
Requesting written work regularly, and returning it with constructive comment within a reasonable time.
Giving detailed advice on the necessary completion dates of successive stages of the work so that the whole may be submitted within the scheduled times.
Ensuring that, if progress is inadequate or the standard of work unsatisfactory, you are made aware of the fact.
Submitting to Tina Clarke or Ann Glen the Module Co-ordinator, a brief report on your progress, in February and August each year.
Keeping a record of meetings and your progress.

The responsibilities of the student include:

Agreeing a schedule of meetings with your Supervisor.
Taking the initiative in raising with your Supervisor problems or difficulties that are encountered and discussing the types of guidance needed.
Maintaining the progress of work, including in particular the punctual submission of written work.
Keeping a record of meetings and deadlines for progress.
Submitting to Tina Clarke or Ann Glen the Module Co-ordinator a brief report on progress in February and August of each year.
Submitting the thesis on time, taking account of your Supervisor's advice.
Raising with the Director of the Programme any problem which falls outwith the province of your Supervisor, or any failure to establish an effective working relationship with your Supervisor.

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Negotiated Submission Date Appendix 5

University of Strathclyde

Faculty of Education

Jordanhill Campus

PROFESSIONAL ENQUIRY AND DEVELOPMENT MODULE

Please return to the Professional Development Unit within four weeks of the first supervision meeting.

MSc IN: ………………………………………………………………

STUDENT’S NAME: ………………………………………………………………

ADDRESS: ………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………

PROPOSED TITLE OF

INVESTIGATION: ………………………………………………………………

AGREED DATE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF THE THESIS/REPORT :

Signed: .............................................................................. (student)

Signed: .……………………………………………….. (supervisor)

Date: ...............................

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Appendix 6

University of Strathclyde
Faculty of Education

Professional Enquiry and Development module:

record of contacts

Name of Supervisor(s):

Name of Student:

MSc In:

CONTACT TYPE AND DATE

DURATION

ACTION ADVISED

SIGNATURES

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Appendix 7

PROFESSIONAL ENQUIRY AND DEVELOPMENT MODULE

REVIEW FORM

STUDENT NAME: ………………………………………………

REGISTRATION NUMBER: ………………………………………………

AWARD SOUGHT: ………………………………………………

TITLE OF THESIS: ………………………………………………

AGREED DATE OF SUBMISSION: ………………………………………………

Please submit to the Professional Development Unit by 1^st September/1^st March each year at the latest

SUMMARY OF WORK COMPLETED SINCE LAST MODULE REVIEW OR SINCE REVIEW PANEL:

TARGETS FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTH PERIOD:

ANY PROBLEMS/ISSUES YOU WISH TO RAISE e.g slipage from time plan

Signature of Student …………………………………………

Signature of Supervisor …………………………………………

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Appendix 8

Submission and Grading Arrangements

Arrangements for the Submission and Grading of PED Theses

1 PRIOR TO SUBMISSION: 1.1 Trial submissions are not to be accepted by supervisors. Advice on structuring and presentation should be provided and an overall outline could be accepted and discussed. Also acceptable would be discussion of, and comment on, a part of a chapter in order to provide advice on format, register, etc.
2 SUBMISSION: 2.1 Students are required to submit two unbound copies of their theses in loose-leaf folders along with the submission form with Parts 1, 2 and 3 completed to the Professional Development Unit (PDU).; 2.2 One copy will be passed to the supervisor for marking and the second will be given to a second assessor.; N.B First Assessors or Supervisor's are responsible for the subject content of the thesis and ensuring that it meets the requirements of the award sought. Second Assessors are responsible for quality content at MSc level and are unlikely to be specialists in the field of study chosen by the candidate.
3 GRADING: 3.1 Supervisors and second assessors should grade according to the criteria issued. They should not write on the manuscripts but might care to draw up an extended set of comments in addition to the summary comment required. The set of additional comments can be cross referenced to the theses simply by reference to page numbers.; 3.2 Assessment reports should be completed and returned along with the theses to the PDU.; 3.3 Assessors will be notified if their grading is not in agreement. If this is the case they should arrange to meet to discuss the grading. As a result of this meeting either assessor may choose to rewrite the assessment report and forward it to the PDU.; 3.4 It is important that we reach agreement internally on the grade awarded. If, therefore, there is still doubt or uncertainty about grading after the internal assessors meeting then the thesis will be referred to a third marker and/or the external examiner. Assessors who are unable to agree should contact the PDU or the PED Module co-ordinator immediately after they have met as suggested in 3.3.
4 MONITORING GRADING: 4.1 The External Examiners for PED are Professor Alex MacLennan, University of Paisley and Dr Andrew Foong, South Bank University.; 4.2 External Examiners for the named pathway routes will be asked to monitor the standard of the specific subject content. They will be invited to attend and/or to give feedback to the meeting of internal and external assessors at which the grade for each thesis is finalised.; 4.3 A sample of the submissions will be sent to each examiner for moderation. A meeting with the external examiners will be arranged to which all supervisors and second assessors are invited.
5 FINAL DETAILS: 5.1 Candidates who are successful are responsible for uplifting one unbound thesis copy from the PDU, after the Board of Examiners. The thesis should then be bound and resubmitted to the PDU Office along with the thesis submission form for Part 4 to be signed by the PDU. The thesis will then be lodged in the library.; 5.2 Candidates who are required to make minor amendments to their scripts will be contacted immediately after the Board of Examiners. They should uplift their scripts, make the required change by the due date (approximately 10 days later), resubmit to their supervisor who will sign the appropriate form for PDU. The candidate should then arrange for it to be bound. All bound theses must be lodged with PDU prior to graduation.; 5.3 Candidates who are unsuccessful will be sent copies of both internal examiners reports and, if appropriate a copy of the external examiner's report. They will be encouraged to contact their supervisor(s) to discuss procedures for resubmission. Supervisors will be provided with the same information and contacted about availability for supervising the resubmission.; 5.4 Candidates are entitled to make one re-submission.

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MSc Thesis Submission Form Appendix 9

University of Strathclyde

Faculty of Education

Jordanhill Campus

MSc Thesis Submission Form

NOTES

1 The thesis is to be submitted initially in an unbound form. Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the form need be submitted, together with the two copies of the thesis each in a loose-leaf folder, to the Professional Development Unit (PDU). After grading, the form will then be returned to the candidate who will be responsible for ensuring that one copy is subsequently bound, and resubmitted to the PDU together with the submission form.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART 1 - SUBMISSION to be completed by the candidate

FULL NAME

ADDRESS

MSc IN

DATE OF SUBMISSION

TITLE OF THESIS

I wish to submit the thesis detailed above for examination in conformity with the regulations for the degree given above. I declare that the thesis embodies the results of my own research or advanced studies and that it has been composed by myself. Where appropriate, I have made acknowledgement to the work of others.

Signature ..................................................

Date ...........................

PART 2 - SUPERVISORS CERTIFICATE - to be completed by the supervisor

NAME OF SUPERVISOR

I certify that I have ensured that the candidate named above has complied with the Regulations for Higher Degrees.

Signature ..................................................

Date ...........................

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART 3 - PROCEDURAL CERTIFICATE - to be completed by the Supervisor

(see Appendix 10)

I have inspected an unbound copy of the thesis detailed overleaf and confirm that it is in the form required by the relevant regulations.

Supervisor ..................................................

Date ...........................

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PART 4 - RECEIPT - by Professional Development Unit

I have received one bound coy of the thesis detailed above, and confirm that all other relevant parts of this form have been completed.

Signature ..................................................

Date ...........................

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Appendix 10

Format and Submission of MSc Theses
The following rules refer to submission of theses in which more than 50% of the award is by instruction (under Higher Degree Regulation 20.1.13). They are based upon the University's regulations 20.1.4 to 20.2.15, which are requirements for all other higher degree theses.

Examples of format, production methods and binding may be seen on request at the issue desk in Jordanhill Library where lists of firms who undertake binding may also be obtained. The listed binders will bind work in accordance with the University's specification; if using a firm not on the list, refer to regulations 20.4.9 and 20.4.20 published in the University Calendar. Further advice on thesis format and referencing can be obtained from the Jordanhill Librarian or Depute Librarian, preferably before submission.

Number of copies
A candidate is required to submit two unbound copies for examination and when approved by the Board of Examiners, one bound copy for the Faculty Library.
Paper specification: A4 good quality paper.

Title page
Text, including summary, shall be type-written or word processed and laser printed. If the original is not submitted, a high standard photocopy is acceptable. Diagrams, maps and similar addenda may be reproduced as photocopies or by other process giving a similar result.

Copyright declaration
The thesis should include on the page following the title page the following statement:

"The copyright of this thesis belongs to the author under the terms of the UK Copyright Acts as qualified by University of Strathclyde Regulations 3.49. Due acknowledgement must always be made of the use of any material contained in, or derived from, this thesis."

Layout
The text shall appear on the rectos side of the page only, lines double or one and a half spaced. There shall be a margin (before trimming) of 40mm at the left hand (binding) edge, of 25mm at the fore-edge, of 20mm at the head of the page, and of 40mm at the tail.

Pagination
Text pages shall be numbered in continuous sequence irrespective of volumes. Preliminary material (e.g. contents pages and abstract) may be given separate pagination. Pages on the verso side, if they bear authorised material, shall be numbered according to the facing page with the affix A.

Abstract
An abstract of contents not exceeding three hundred words shall be bound at the beginning of the general text.

Theses submitted unbound
Two copies of the thesis should be submitted for examination in unbound form to the PDU. Once the form is completed it should be handed in to the PDU together with the thesis.
Ultimate destination of thesis: If the award of a degree is recommended, the thesis shall be deposited in the Jordanhill Library where it will be retained for a ten year period (and then reviewed). MSc theses are for reference only, except that they may be lent to another library for consultation in that library.

Confidentiality
Where a thesis contains material considered by the author to be confidential, the author may specify a period of time during which the thesis may be consulted only with the consent of the author.

Referencing
The APA system should be used.

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University of Strathclyde MSc Thesis

Faculty of Education Internal Assessor’s Report

Supervisor / Second Assessor/ Third Assessor

MSc in

University of Strathclyde
MSc Thesis

Faculty of Education
Internal Assessor’s Report