Masters in European Construction

Masters in European Construction Guidelines for Modules External Practises & Master s Final Project April - September 2010

CONTENTS Page 1. The Aim of the Module... 3 1.1 The Review Paper. 3 1.2 The Dissertation 3 1.3 The Poster Presentation. 3 2. Responsibility for the Work.. 3 3. Selection of a Topic. 4 4. Appointment of Supervisor and Moderator.. 4 5. The Roles of Supervisors and Moderators 4 5.1 The Supervisor 4 5.2 The Moderator. 5 5.3 Responsibilities for Assessment... 5 6. Presentation of the Review Paper and the Dissertation... 5 6.1 General.. 5 6.2 Length of the Review Paper and the Dissertation 6 6.3 Contents of the Dissertation 6 6.4 Elements of the Dissertation.. 6 6.5 Arrangement of Chapters in the Dissertation... 6 6.6 Plagiarism 7 6.7 References.. 7 6.8 Footnotes. 8 6.9 Tables.. 8 6.10 Figures 8 7. Submission of your Work... 9 7.1 The Review Paper.. 9 7.2 The Dissertation. 9 7.3 The Poster Presentation.. 9 8. Prizes.. 10 9. Summary Timetable of Events.. 10 FORMS AND APPENDICES 11 Project Decision (Form A). 12 Interim Report (Form B). 14 Research Dissertation Assessment (Form C). 18 APPENDIX A.. 20 APPENDIX B.. 21 2 P a g e

1. The Aim of the Module The aim of Modules External Practises and Final Project is to develop your research and investigative skills and to give you the opportunity to carry out independent investigation into a specific area of European Construction. Wherever possible the module should be carried out in conjunction with a construction organisation, thus providing benefits to both parties. Where this is not possible however, no penalty will result and investigations may be made into any appropriate area, but in accordance with the scheme described below. In any event, the module is carried out under the supervision of a member of academic staff experienced in the field of enquiry. This work represents a substantial proportion of the total number of credits required for the Masters award and as such is of great significance. It is therefore essential that you achieve the highest level of work of which you are capable. It is also important that the requirements for supervision of the work and its assessment are compatible across the participating universities. Special arrangements are made to ensure this, as detailed in these guidelines. The module is divided into three parts: the Review Paper, the Dissertation and the Poster Presentation. 1.1 The Review Paper The Review Paper takes the form of an academic review of the subject area; hence it will include a description and analysis of the background to the topic area and will include the latest research findings in the field. The Review Paper will be submitted to your Supervisor at early stage in the process and the feedback obtained will provide valuable guidance for your Dissertation. Part or all of the work may be incorporated directly into the final Dissertation. 1.2 The Dissertation This will build on the work carried out in the Review Paper and will be your original investigation of the topic. It will contain results and conclusions based on your own enquiries. In it you must demonstrate capability at Masters level (see the Appendix A for a definition of this level of work). Substantial guidance on the preparation of your dissertation is contained below. 1.3 The Poster Presentation On the conclusion of your Dissertation you will prepare a Poster of size A1 which will be placed on display at the Masters Research Forum to be held in Santander in September. This poster will display an explanation of the work you have carried out in a visual format. You will be required to defend your work at the Forum, to which companies and other assessors will be invited. 2. Responsibility for the Work You are personally responsible for all the work in this module, including deciding the title, carrying out the investigations and producing the report. You are also responsible for obtaining information from external bodies as necessary. 3 P a g e

3. Selection of a Topic The following procedure may be followed to enable you to select an appropriate topic for your Project module: a) Each participating university will prepare a list of topics which they have prepared to supervise during the forthcoming year and will forward these to the Agency. Each topic will be identified by area and the name of the proposed supervisor. The Agency will then distribute this list to all the students at an appropriate time. b) After this you will select a topic title, having had the opportunity to consult, either directly or by email/fax, with your proposed Supervisor to obtain such details as are necessary to enable you to choose a title. c) By the end of week 18, you will decide and record in writing your intention to undertake a specific topic, including a provisional title. You must record the details on the Project Decision (Form A) provided by the Agency (see Appendix), and sent by email/fax back to the Agency. 4. Appointment of Supervisor and Moderator By the end of week 26 the Agency, acting on behalf of the Academic Management Committee, will appoint an appropriate Moderator from another university participating in the Masters programme, and will notify you and your Supervisor. 5. The Roles of Supervisors and Moderators 5.1 The Supervisor The role of the Supervisor is to provide sufficient support and encouragement to allow you to develop your work through to the production of an adequate Dissertation and Poster. The Supervisor will stipulate how frequently he or she wishes to meet you to discuss progress. Such meetings should occur at least once a fortnight and preferably should be weekly, especially in the initial stages. Also, at the initial stage, the Supervisor should provide or direct you towards adequate initial source material and, from then on, check that a realistic literature search is being made. You must meet with your Supervisor to explain clearly the aims of your work and to discuss how these will be achieved. The aims must be mutually agreed and recorded on the Interim Report (Form B) (see Appendix) and sent by email/fax to the Agency by the end of week 20. The reasons for any divergence from the original aims and objectives will have to be explained in your final report. Later, the Supervisor will be expected to provide advice as to the layout of the Dissertation and Poster and will emphasise to you the importance of correct grammar, use of illustrations, references and spelling, as well as the necessity for careful checking and correction of the typed script. It is not, however, the role of the Supervisor to read sections of the outputs before they are finally submitted. Generally, the continuing role of the Supervisor should be to encourage, to suggest, to assist and, if it should become necessary, to pressurise you towards sufficient endeavour. However, it is important to appreciate at all times 4 P a g e

that it is your own project. Ultimately, you must be allowed to develop the outputs in your own way and as a result of your own initiative and expertise. The most important function of the Supervisor is to establish a meaningful working relationship with you so that you may have sufficient freedom to carry through your development of the topic whilst operating within a framework of support and guidance. It is your responsibility to overcome the many minor problems that will be encountered during the course of the work. The Supervisor should only step in to assist in a situation in which it might not be reasonable to expect you to cope alone. 5.2 The Moderator The role of the Moderator is to act as co-assessor of the topic. You are encouraged to make use of your Moderator throughout the period by whatever means you are able, in order to provide a less involved and more objective view than is sometimes possible by the Supervisor alone. In addition, it may be a useful role of the Moderator to obtain information from a country in which you are not currently resident. Moderators may be referred to on matters of guidance where the Supervisor so directs, or the student may approach them directly. 5.3 Responsibilities for Assessment It is the responsibility of both the Supervisor and the Moderator to assess the final module outcomes. The Research Dissertation Assessment (Form C) (see Appendix) is completed simultaneously by the Supervisor and the Moderator. The assessments should be supported by concise but apposite remarks. A final mark for each assessment criteria should be agreed between Supervisor and Moderator. On agreement of this mark, both sheets should be sent by email/fax immediately to the Agency who will record the mark and make the information available to the External Examiner. Any failure to agree a grade between Supervisor and Moderator will be reported to the Agency, who will then arrange for a third assessor. 6. Presentation of the Review Paper and the Dissertation 6.1 General The Review Paper and the Dissertation are to be typed with single spacing, on one side of each sheet. Reports are to be typed on DIN A4 paper with 40mm margin on the left hand side of the sheet. Drawings (figures and graphs) are to be of page size, or folded to that size. Reports are to be bound between standard cover boards which will be provided by the Agency, using a white plastic comb (spiral) binding. The pages of the report are to be numbered consecutively and an index of contents is to be provided. The title of the report and the student's name and the academic year must appear through the aperture in the front cover. We aware you that a crucial time for the completion of your Research Dissertation is during the month of August. This is a holiday period and therefore you must be aware of your Supervisor s movements at this time to arrange for effective final supervision. All Supervisor s have been asked to notify the Agency of their vacation dates. 6.2 Length of the Review Paper and the Dissertation The length of your Review Paper should be about 3000 words and the completed 5 P a g e

Dissertation should be approximately 12000 words. Appendices should be used for data not essential to reading and understanding the report. 6.3 Contents of the Dissertation Essentially there should be two key parts of any Dissertation. The first part should take the form of an academic review of the subject area, which may be a modified version of the Review Paper. Hence it will include a description and analysis of the background to the topic area and will include the latest research findings in the field. The second part will contain original findings in the subject area, based on your own investigations. Both parts will be will be correctly referenced as described below. 6.4 Elements of the Dissertation Dissertations should aim to include the following elements, usually in the listed order: TITLE PAGE ABSTRACT (not more than 100 words) RESEARCH STATEMENT (one page describing context of project e.g. individual or member of a team, industry or laboratory based, historical or real data etc.). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES/GRAPHS LIST OF TABLES (including appendix tables) LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/SYMBOLS (if any) CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - Background - Aims & Objectives - Research Methodology - Limitations and Scope - Project Report Outline MAIN CHAPTERS - start with existing theory and develop to project work. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY, if applicable APPENDICES 6.5 Arrangement of Chapters in the Dissertation Chapters should be carefully planned to produce a balance of chapters of roughly similar length. Use should be made of sub-sections to break up the chapter contents and thereby enhance readability. e.g. CHAPTER 4 - EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION FIRMS 4.1 Large Firms 4.2 Small Firms If required sub-sections of chapters may be further sub-divided. 6 P a g e

e.g. 4.1.1 Large Building Firms 4.1.2 Large Civil Engineering Firms Do not divide sections beyond this if it can be avoided use underlines for any further subdivisions. Usually the chapters will be of between 15 and 20 pages and progress from the general to the specific. After the Introduction, the early chapters should explain the existing situation and contain the bulk of the reference material. The later chapters would contain more of your own work, including analysis, experiments or computer modelling and a review or discussion to present any findings or conclusions of significance. 6.6 Plagiarism Plagiarism is the act of using other people s words as if they were your own. It is often a particular temptation in dissertations where you are using a wide variety of source material, especially when you are writing in a language that is not your first. However, plagiarism is regarded as a serious academic offence and carries a severe penalty that could mean exclusion from the course. Quotations form an essential part of most dissertation writing and it is important how you present them. In order to make clear to readers the distinction between your words and the words of others, thus avoiding the charge of plagiarism, it is essential that you follow these rules which are devised for this particular module: All material that is not written by you must be presented in italics Your Research Dissertation must not contain more than 25% of this type of material. Quotations of about 20 words in length should be indented in the text. There is no need to put quotation marks around indented quotations. Quotations of 20 words or less can be incorporated in the text, in which case they need quotation marks around them. All quotations must be correctly referenced. 6.7 References Every dissertation will need to refer in the main text to the work of others. There are a number of ways this might be done. You are required to use the Harvard system. There are many good websites that explain this system that can be identified through Google. Make sure all references are fully detailed so that anyone reading the project will be able to find the reference for themselves. A full reference should contain as many of the following elements as are appropriate: Author (surname first) Title (underlined if textbook) Name of Journal (in italics) 7 P a g e

Publisher (if book) Place of Publication (if book) Date Volume Number (for journals) Page numbers e.g. Lowe J G "Monopoly and the Materials Supply Industries of the United Kingdom". Construction Management and Economics, 1987, Volume 5, pages 57-71. Usually all references should be collected up and listed (alphabetically if following the above method). Sometimes, you may wish to give references for each chapter and to distinguish these from wider, more general, reading. Such an approach is acceptable providing you give details in the contents pages. References serve three main functions in an academic or technical report. Firstly they indicate the breadth of background investigation undertaken by the candidate. Secondly they support key items in the report and avoid the candidate having to repeat large chunks of existing knowledge and thirdly, they differentiate between ideas extracted from other sources and the candidate's own work. Consequently, it is difficult to include too many references in the completed report. However, in practice, sources of material may not be easy to locate and you should commence this activity as soon as the title of your Project has been confirmed. Remember that videos, lectures, course material and websites can also be referenced. A Bibliography may be provided if appropriate. This will contain a list of supplementary reading not directly referred to in the main text, but relevant to the subject of the dissertation. 6.8 Footnotes Avoid footnotes 6.9 Tables Tables are very useful for breaking up the text, summarising key pieces of information and enhancing readability. However, you should guard against including too many tables in the main chapters. Frequently, it will look better if only key tables appear in the text, whilst general background data is relegated to tables in the Appendix. These tables can be referred to in the same way as those located in the text. It is important that you comment on any tables you decide to include. Tables must be given a number and a title. It is probably easiest to number tables sequentially. You should also, at the bottom of the table, indicate the source of your data, especially when you are reproducing the table from some other publication. 6.10 Figures Like tables, the inclusion of some figures/graphs will enhance the readability of the Project. Most of the same comments apply to figures as to tables. So, care should be taken with numbering, titles and the data source. It is critical that included figures should be neatly presented and easily understood by the reader. A common error is the failure to label axes on graphs. Again all figures should be specifically referred to and commented upon in the text. Try to avoid putting too much information into a 8 P a g e

single figure; frequently more than one figure may be needed to clearly display a set of relationships. Remember to consider carefully whether or not each figure is worth the space in your report before deciding on its inclusion. If you use a figure, it should have an explanation or discussion in the test of at least the same amount of space. 7. Submission of your Work 7.1 The Review Paper This must be submitted to your Supervisor by week 22 for assessment and feedback. 7.2 The Dissertation Digital and hard copies must be submitted until Monday 30 August 14:00 hrs to the Agency (week 35). IT MUST BE EMPHASISED THAT THERE ARE CAN BE NO EXTENSIONS ALLOWED FOR THIS DEADLINE. Because of the extremely tight timescale to which we have to work at this stage of the year, if you fail to get your project in one time you will fail the course for this year and may have to re-take it next year. You must submit one hard copy of your Dissertation to your Supervisor and one digital copy to the Agency. The Agency will then distribute by email one copy to your Moderator, one to the External Examiner and maintain one copy for reference purposes. 7.3 The Poster Presentation As explained above, part of the assessment for this module is the presentation of a poster. You are required to attend the University of Cantabria on 17 September. At this time you are required to present your work in the form of a poster at the Masters Research Forum. The poster will be mounted to display to the assessors, some of whom will be industrialists and potential employers who will be gathering there at this time for the commencement of next year s course. A powerpoint presentation is NOT required. Rather you will be required to enter into informed discussions around your poster with the assessors and defend your work to them (it will also be a good opportunity to seek our prospects for employment, if that is your wish.) There is an art in the preparation of a poster. Your Supervisor will assist you in this. There is an example in Appendix B that describes some research activity. Note the use of text, diagrams and illustrations. 8. Prizes It is the intention to offer prizes for the following categories of work: Best and second-best Dissertation 2010 9 P a g e

Best and second-best Poster 2010 These Prizes will be awarded by the judges at the Forum as part of the assessment process. 9. Summary Timetable of Events Week No Action Dates 2009 18 You send to the Agency details of your intended project and submission declaration on Project Decision (Form A) 7 May 2010 20 You send to the Agency completed Interim Report (Form B) 21 May 2010 22 You submit your Review Paper to your Supervisor 4 June 2010 26 The Agency selects Moderator and notifies student and Supervisor 34 You submit your Dissertation to your Supervisor and to the Agency 36 Supervisor and Moderator submit preliminary Research Dissertation Assessment (Form C) to the Agency. 37 Presentation of poster to Masters Research Forum in Santander 38 Final Completion of Research Dissertation Assessment (Form C) following Poster Presentation in Santander submitted to Agency 2 July 2010 30 August 2010 Monday 14:00 hrs 10 September 2010 17 September 2010 20 September 2010 10 P a g e

Masters in European Construction Guidelines for Modules External Practises & Master s Final Project FORMS AND APPENDICES 11 P a g e

MASTERS in EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION MODULES EXTERNAL PRACTISES & MASTER S FINAL PROJECT Project Decision (Form A) (To be completed by the Student after initial contact with the Supervisor who has agreed to supervise the project this contact may be by email or similar means) Name of Student... I wish to undertake Modules External Practises & Master s Final Project Topic title (provisional)........ Place where the module will be carried out... Name of Supervisor... Declaration: I declare my intention to proceed to Modules External Practises & Master s Final Project stage of the programme, and will submit my completed Dissertation before/on 30 August 2009. I understand that if I do not submit by this date, the result will be a fail in this module, unless genuine mitigating circumstances are presented. I have read and thoroughly understood the requirements for this module and the marking scheme as indicated below. Signed...Date... You must return this form, by 7 May 2010 to: Noelia Ruiz Master in European Construction Engineering Universidad de Cantabria Avda. Los Castros s/n Santander 39005 Cantabria SPAIN Phone: +34 942 206752 Fax: +34 942 201703 12 P a g e

MASTERS in EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION MODULES EXTERNAL PRACTISES & MASTER S FINAL PROJECT Marking Scheme Assessment Criteria 1: Research Methodology & Data Collection 4: Analysis of Data Max. Mark Statement of requirements for the student to achieve a distinction mark at 75% 20 A clearly stated, recognised research methodology, applicable to the problem under investigation. The collection of appropriate data for analysis of the problem. 25 A critical, thorough, accurate, analysis of the data applying, where appropriate suitable statistical techniques. 5: Conclusions 15 A set of logical, well argued conclusions from the findings of the literature review and the analysis of the data. 6: Quality of Written Report 7: Poster and verbal explanation of the work TOTAL 100 15 A comprehensive, concise, well written report meeting in full the requirements stated in the documentation. 25 A well presented graphical presentation summarising both the work undertaken and the conclusions of the project with excellent visual impact and convincing explanation. Statement of requirements for the student to achieve a merit mark at 65% A clear and wellexpressed methodology. Sufficient data analysis undertaken to demonstrate the correct analysis of the problem. Analysis of the data by appropriate techniques, demonstration of how such techniques may be applied to the problem. Main conclusions drawn from the data and literature review related to the problem, sensibly drawn in the context of the work, with further work specified. A well written report that complies with all the stated requirements and demonstrates logical and systematic enquiry. A neat poster explaining the work and its conclusions in a graphical format with sufficient explanatory text. Statement of requirements for the student to achieve a Pass mark at 50% Evidence of the consideration of a methodology and the collection of data. Evidence of the examination of the data in relation to the problem. Evidence of the comparison of the findings to the literature study. Consideration of the drawbacks of the work and possible future study. A report which contains relevant sections and complies with the documentation issued by the Internal Examiner. A poster which only demonstrates one of the elements stated opposite. 13 P a g e

MASTERS in EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION MODULES EXTERNAL PRACTISES & MASTER S FINAL PROJECT Interim Report (Form B) (To be completed by the Student and agreed by the Supervisor) Name of Student.. Title of Final Project.. Name of Supervisor. Name of Moderator. Dissertation Aims, Objectives, Marking Scheme, Methodology & Sources of Data (500 words in total): 1: Aim and objectives of the project: 14 P a g e

2: Proposed Research Methods 3: Sources of data: 15 P a g e

Declaration: I understand the marking scheme for this module and will proceed as outlined above. Signed...Date... (Student) Signed...Date... (Supervisor) You must return this form by 21 May 2010 to: Noelia Ruiz Master in European Construction Engineering Universidad de Cantabria Avda. Los Castros s/n Santander 39005 Cantabria SPAIN Phone: +34 942 206752 Fax: +34 942 201703 17 P a g e

MASTERS in EUROPEAN CONSTRUCTION MODULES EXTERNAL PRACTISES & MASTER S FINAL PROJECT Research Dissertation Assessment (Form C) Refer to marking scheme Assessment Criteria Maximum Mark 1: Research Methodology & 20 Data Collection 2: Analysis of Data 25 Supervisor s Mark Moderator s Mark Final Mark 3: Conclusions 15 4: Quality of Written Report 15 5: Poster and explanation of the work 25 TOTAL MARK 100 Supervisor s Comments: Signed: Supervisor... Date Moderator s Comments: 18 P a g e

Signed: Moderator... Date External Examiner Comments: Signed: External Examiner... Date 19 P a g e

APPENDIX A Masters degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated: i) a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice; ii) a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research or advanced scholarship; ii) originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline; iv) conceptual understanding that enables the student: to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline; and to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses. Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to: A )deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences; b) demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level; c)continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level; and will have: d) the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations; and the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development. ooooooooo APPENDIX B 20 P a g e

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