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Academy Documents

Please access the Students' Policies & Forms through this link. The following documents are all available in the link - Student Handbook, Student Code of Conduct,  Students' Privacy Notice, Deferral, Suspension, and Cancellation Policy, Assignment Extension Policy, Re-Sit Policy, Complaints Procedure Policy, Equality Policy and Student Disciplinary Policy.

Sessions' Venue

All tutorial sessions will be held at 21 Academy's Training Centre in Naxxar – Room 4.

21 Business Centre, No. 20., Triq in-Nutar Debono, Naxxar NXR 2525

Tutorial Schedule & Notes

Please make sure that you follow each action that must be taken by students after each tutorial. The tutorial dates in the schedule below are indicative and may change. All changes, if any, may be communicated via email, WhatsApp or above.

Supervisor

Ms Denise Griscti

Lecturers

Mr Paul Gauci

Ms Natalie Xuereb Saydon

Ms Mary Anne Puli

Tutorial Summaries & Actions Needed 

Tutorial 1 - Dissertation Process, Topic Selection & Initial Proposal Development

Aligned to:

• Selecting a Research Topic (Section 3.2)
• Preliminary Proposal Form (Annex A)
• Final Research Proposal requirements (Section 3.4 + Annex B)

Objectives:

• Explain dissertation rules, deadlines, secondary-data-only requirement, and supervisor expectations.
• Review and refine initial research ideas to ensure feasibility using secondary data only.
• Support students in shaping:
  • Research title and summary
  • Research questions
  • Initial literature review structure
  • Proposed methodology

Students must submit after the tutorial:

• Completed Preliminary Research Proposal Form
• Full research proposal (after approval of Preliminary Research Proposal Form)
• Draft project timeline (Gantt-style)

Tutorial 2 - Methodology & Limitations & Ethical Considerations

Aligned to:

• Methodology requirements (secondary-data techniques)
• Research Ethics Approval Form (Annex C)

Objectives:

• Finalise and validate the chosen methodology (e.g. systematic review, content analysis, meta-analysis).
• Ensure limitations and risks sections are realistic and properly documented.
• Guide students through completing the Ethics Confirmation Form.

Students should be working on:

• Refined methodology chapter draft
• Ethical Considerations and Limitations Sections

Students must submit after the tutorial:

• Completed ethics form

Tutorial 3 - Data Analysis & Discussion Development

Aligned to:

• Findings / Analysis chapter requirements (Section 5.1)
• Discussion chapter requirements (Section 5.1)
• Assessment criteria: argument quality, critical analysis, originality (Sections 3.1.3 & 10)
• Formatting and referencing rules (Section 4)

Objectives:

• Review progress on data extraction, coding, and analysis.
• Provide guidance on appropriate analysis techniques:
  • Thematic analysis
  • Content analysis
  • Meta-analysis

Support students in:

• Interpreting findings critically (not descriptively)
• Linking results back to literature and theory
• Ensure correct use of tables, figures, and Harvard referencing.

Students should be working on:

• Draft Literature Review
• Draft Findings / Analysis chapter
• Draft Discussion chapter linked to literature

Tutorial 4 - Finalising the Dissertation for Submission

Aligned to:

• Final version requirements (Section 6)
• Formatting and structure rules (Sections 4 & 5)

Objectives:

• Review the full near-final draft (12,000 words ±10%).
• Ensure formatting meets:
  • Times New Roman 12pt
  • 1.5 spacing
  • Harvard referencing
  • Page numbering conventions
• Check abstract, title page, TOC, lists of figures/tables.
• Ensure compliance with submission requirements and deadlines.

Students should be working on:

• Finalising the Dissertation for Submission -
  • Title Page (Cover Page)
  • Abstract
  • Acknowledgements (optional)
  • Author’s Declaration of Authenticity
  • Table of Contents, List of Tables, List of Figures
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review
  • Methodology (secondary data and analysis methods)
  • Findings / Analysis
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion and Recommendations
  • References
  • Bibliography

Methods of Assessment

Dissertation 100% of final score

Important Information

These Dissertation Guidelines are intended to provide students with a clear, structured, and authoritative framework for the successful completion of their dissertation. The dissertation represents a substantial and independent piece of academic work and constitutes a core component of the Master’s programme. As such, adherence to these guidelines is essential to ensure academic rigour, consistency, and fairness across all submissions.

Dissertation Guidelines

Purpose of the Guidelines

The primary purpose of these guidelines is to:

• Set out the academic, procedural, and administrative requirements governing the dissertation module;
• Clarify the roles and responsibilities of students, supervisors, and assessors;
• Establish a transparent and consistent process for proposal development, supervision, submission, and assessment;
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance, academic integrity, and ethical standards appropriate to Level 7 study.

The guidelines also serve as an official reference document. Students are expected to consult them throughout the dissertation process and to ensure that all requirements are met by the specified deadlines.

Support for Students

These guidelines are designed to support students at every stage of the dissertation journey, from the initial formulation of a research question through to final submission and assessment. They provide:

• Detailed guidance on selecting a feasible and academically appropriate research topic;
• Clear expectations regarding the use of secondary data, in line with the accredited design of the module;
• Structured templates and forms that help students organise their work, plan their time effectively, and meet institutional requirements;
• Explicit instructions on academic language, formatting, referencing, and presentation, reducing uncertainty and the risk of avoidable errors.

By offering clear explanations and standardised documentation, the guidelines aim to reduce ambiguity and enable students to focus on the intellectual quality of their research rather than procedural concerns.

Academic Standards and Fairness

The guidelines play a critical role in maintaining academic standards and equity. By applying the same rules, processes, and assessment criteria to all students, 21 Academy ensures that:

• All dissertations are judged against consistent and transparent criteria;
• Assessment decisions are fair, robust, and defensible;
• Students are fully informed in advance of what is required to achieve a successful outcome.

Clear policies on plagiarism, academic dishonesty, the use of artificial intelligence, and assessment procedures are included to safeguard the integrity of the qualification and the value of the award.

Preparation for Advanced Academic and Professional Practice

The dissertation is intended not only as an assessment but also as a preparatory experience for advanced academic, professional, or research-oriented careers. Through engagement with these guidelines, students develop:

• Advanced skills in independent research, critical analysis, and academic writing;
• The ability to manage a substantial project within defined constraints and deadlines;
• Familiarity with formal academic processes, documentation, and standards commonly used in higher education and professional research contexts.

Use of Annexes and Templates

The annexes and templates provided alongside these guidelines are designed to promote consistency and good practice. They are not optional unless explicitly stated. Students are expected to use the approved formats when submitting proposals, declarations, and applications. Where templates are included for reference only, this is clearly indicated, particularly in relation to forms associated with primary data collection, which is outside the scope of the standard dissertation module.

Student Responsibility

While supervision and institutional support are provided, responsibility for understanding and complying with these guidelines rests with the student. Failure to follow the prescribed procedures or formats may result in delays, penalties, or adverse academic outcomes.

Students are therefore strongly advised to:

• Read these guidelines carefully at the outset of the dissertation module;
• Refer back to them regularly throughout the research and writing process;
• Seek clarification from their supervisor where uncertainty arises.