Assessment

For successful completion of the course MRes students must submit the following written work for examination:

1.    Two essays, each of not more than 4,000 words in length, on subjects of social anthropological research chosen by the candidate from a list announced by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Human, Social and Political Science. The list covers topics from the pre-fieldwork seminar series and students must answer one question on anthropology and social theory and one on professional research practice. Each essay will count for 10% of the total marks for the examination.

2.    One essay of not more than 4,000 words relating to research methods. This is the individual report on the extended case study prepared for the Ethnographic Methods course.  This essay will count for 10% of the total marks for the examination.

See here for specific essay questions.

3.   One written assignment plus a short “open book” online test for each basic stats course and one written assignment for each advanced statistics course taken on the Joint Schools Social Science Research Methods Course Survey Methods course. This will count for 10% of the total marks for the examination. Deadline for submission to be confirmed.

4.    A thesis of not more than 15,000 words in length, including footnotes, but excluding tables, appendices, and bibliography, on a subject approved by the Degree Committee for the Faculty of Human, Social and Political Science. The examination will include an oral examination on the thesis and on the general field of knowledge within which it falls. The mark awarded for the thesis will comprise 60% of the total.

The formal regulations for the MRes in Social Anthropology can be found  in the University’s Statutes and Ordinances.

The thesis and the research proposal

The primary aim of the thesis should be the theoretical analysis of ethnographic material; it may also be a new synthesis of data, and/ or new interpretation of existing material. See style guidelines for MRes theses for guidance on how to present the thesis.

The research proposal (7 000 words) is submitted separately. It distils your research training to date and is at the core of your own plans. All students submitting a research proposal and hoping to proceed to doctoral research will be given a fieldwork clearance interview by the PhD Committee as part of the oral examination. Whichever way you organise your research proposal and thesis, you must have covered all items specified as elements of the research proposal portfolio, as outlined here.

All items submitted for assessment for this course must include a signed statement of the exact word count of the piece.

When submitting you must take the two copies of your thesis to the Social Anthropology Office. Four copies of your research proposal should be handed in. Please note that this must be done in person. Others cannot submit your thesis for you.

Submission Deadlines

Submission deadlines are announced in the MRes Diary. Essays and theses must be submitted by noon on the day of the deadline. You are expected to manage your time to meet the deadlines. This includes, for example, preparing a draft well in advance, to allow reasonable time for feedback from your supervisor, and final revisions. Please note that sloppy presentation (bad spelling or grammar, incomplete bibliography etc.) will be penalized by the examiners.

No extensions will be given to the deadlines, with exceptions being made only for certified medical emergencies. Essays and theses submitted after the deadlines will be penalized by 5 marks for the first working day, followed by 1 mark for each day of delay thereafter. If you experience personal or other difficulties that interfere with your work, you should consult your supervisor and/or College Tutor in good time for advice and assistance. In exceptional circumstances, a case for late submission may be made through these authorities, but it must reach the graduate administrator well before the deadline. In extreme cases personal problems may require periods of intermission of studies.

Please also note that the word counts for essays and theses are strict. There are upper limits and you must not exceed them. The Division reserves the right to request a disk copy of the essay or thesis to verify the word count.

Assessment Standards

Formally, this is a pass/ fail course. The standard for a pass begins at 60. Internally we note the difference between a pass (60-69) and a high pass (70-74), and a mark above 75 is awarded a distinction. If you wish to proceed to doctoral research you will be expected to achieve a high pass overall.

Assessment Descriptors