Guidelines to Writing a Dissertation

What is a Dissertation? It is a compulsory part of your degree. Should reflect independent, self-motivated research. Must demonstrate an understanding of theoretical foundations and research methodology. It must be supervised by a member of academic staff. 10,000 words.

How will you be assessed? In the 1st semester, you must submit a synopsis of your research proposal and make a 10 –15 minute presentation for PSY498. In the 2nd semester you must submit the dissertation document for PSY499.

How do I sign up with a supervisor? You should sign up with a supervisor from the Department of Philosophy & Psychology or from any other Department as appropriate for the topic under study (Subject to approval of HOD) Use the Dissertation Supervision Form & hand it before the deadline. Remember to keep a record of all your meetings with the supervisor using the Attendance Record form and don’t forget to attach a copy of this in your dissertation.

What is a synopsis? It is a comprehensive summary of your intended research project A synopsis no longer than 5-6 pages should be submitted at the end of the 1st semester. You would also have to make a presentation of your synopsis lasting 10 -15 minutes at the end of the first semester.

What should be included in the synopsis? Title Introduction Methodology Analysis Problems & Limitations Time Frame Bibliography/References Appendices

Title This should be brief, yet informative. Examples: 1. The impact of domestic violence on the development of aggression in children (This is a clear, informative title) 2.Domestic violence and aggression in children (This title is too short and not very clear or informative) 3. At study investigating the impact of domestic violence on the development of aggression in a group of school aged children (This title is too long.)

Introduction Should provide a background to the study, starting at a fairly general level and focusing down to the specifics of the study. Must not be too long – approximately about 1-2 pages. Subsections: Literature Review Problem (Research Question) Hypotheses Significance/ Relevance of the study Aims & Objectives.

Methodology Participants Design Apparatus/ Materials Procedure This is a detailed account of how you are planning to conduct your study and should cover all the relevant practical aspects. You should mention here whether it is Survey Research, Case Studies Research, etc and whether you’d be using quantitative methods, qualitative method or both. It should include the following subsections. Participants Design Apparatus/ Materials Procedure

Problems and Limitations of the Study Analysis You must describe how you’re going to analyze your data, what statistical tests/ programmes you would be using and the analytic procedures you’re going to carry out with the raw data. Problems and Limitations of the Study You can mention any possible weaknesses/ limitations of your study. Do so in a constructive manner.

Bibliography/ Reference Time frame You can present this in a graph form. Indicate the anticipated time you would spend for each step of your dissertation. Bibliography/ Reference Any books, papers, articles, web-sites that you have consulted for this particular study must be reported in the standardized format. Appendices Typically you can include the list of stimulus materials you might be using, copies of questionnaires, scales, interview schedules etc

What are the components of a dissertation? 1. Title page 2. Dedication 3. Acknowledgements 4. Index/ Content 5. Abstract 6. Chapter 1 –Introduction 7. Chapter 2 -Literature Review 8. Chapter 3 – Rationale and Objectives 9. Chapter 4 – Methodology 10. Chapter 5 – Data Analysis 11. Chapter 6 – Discussion & Conclusion/s 12. References 13. Appendices

Title Page Must include the following: The title of the dissertation Registration number Name of Supervisor Date of Submission Name of Department & University

Abstract Content/ Index This is a short summary of the study. Limit it to 150-200 words. Include: Objectives Design, Methods Results Conclusion. Content/ Index Include a list of everything that follows, with appropriate page numbers. If the students wish to, they could include lists of figures and table in order of their appearance with appropriate page numbers.

Chapter 1: Introduction The purpose of the introduction is to provide a comprehensive background to your study. You can describe the theoretical perspectives relevant for the topic under study and a historical background of your research area. Chapter 2: Literature Review Describe relevant previous work in the field.

Chapter 3 – Rationale & Objectives Summarize your rationale based on your Introduction and Literature Review. Identify your research problems & hypotheses. Let the reader know why it is interesting and / or important to carry out this particular study and what significance it holds. Justify the particular sample you have chosen and your method of study (why you chose particular data collection method, instruments, apparatus etc.). Clearly state your aims and objectives. You can state this in a point form and distinguish between short-term and long-term objectives if you wish.

Include the following subsections: Chapter 4 -Method Must provide enough details with this section to replicate study. Include the following subsections: Participants: State how the participants were selected (eg: random sampling, purposive sampling), the location (from where the participants were selected), the number of participants, the age range, gender, occupation and other relevant demographic details about the participants. Design: This section should cover the conditions investigated in the study, the independent variable/s, the dependent variable/s , control variables, design of study. Apparatus/ Materials: Give details of all the important equipment, psychometric tests and scales that were used. Describe as fully as possible any apparatus/ equipment that you have used. If you’re using interviews to collect data, make sure to include a schedule of the interview questions with this section. Procedure: Include the step-by step details of how conducted the study. Any instructions to the participants should be summarized.

Chapter 6: Discussion & Conclusions Chapter 5: Results & Analysis Discuss findings and their interpretations in light of aims, hypotheses and previous research. Explore the implications of study and any contribution to the research area, policy and practice. Present ideas for future research . Critically discuss the strength s and weaknesses of your study Conclude by summarizing the main findings of your study. Chapter 5: Results & Analysis Describe the analytic procedures carried out with the raw data. Report the results of any statistical tests and any other analytic procedures carried out with the data. Give accurate and full presentation of the analyses.

References: Appendices: Every reference you note in the text must be included in the reference list. Should be in alphabetical order and Follow the standard format prescribed by the American Psychological Association (APA). Appendices: Attach copies of any questionnaires, scales , instruction sheets, list of stimulus materials you, time frame etc. You must include the attendance form recording meetings with your supervisor.

Standard Format for Writing References  Journal article Murzynski, J., & Degelman, D. (1996). Body language of women and judgments of vulnerability to sexual assault. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 26,  1617-1626.          Book Paloutzian, R. F. (1996). Invitation to the psychology of religion  (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.          Web document Degelman, D., & Harris, M. L. (2000). APA style essentials. Retrieved May 18, 2000, from Vanguard University, Department of Psychology Web site: http://www.vanguard.edu/faculty/ddegelman/index.cfm?doc_id=79 Stand-alone Web document (no date) Nielsen, M. E. (n.d.). Notable people in psychology of religion. Retrieved August 3, 2001, from  http://www.psywww.com/psyrelig/psyrelpr.htm Stand-alone Web document (no author, no date) Gender and society. (n.d.). Retrieved December 3, 2001, from http://www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/gender.html

Important Points to Keep in Mind Efficient time management is essential Avoid plagiarism Maintain a research diary/journal Obtain permission from relevant authorities well in advance Keep in mind the ethical principles for conducting research Plan ahead and always have a contingency/back up plan Always proofread the final draft of the dissertation.

Writing Tips Use complete sentences and use correct grammar and spellings. Try not to use slang Do not use contractions (eg: use it is instead of it’s) Generally, use past tense in the abstract, introduction, and method. Results and discussion sections can be in the present tense. Avoid excessive use of personal pronouns such as I, me, according to my viewpoint etc. Margins: One inch on all sides except left (top, bottom & right). Leave 1 ½ on the left side for binding. Font size & Type: 12-pt font (Times Roman or Courier) Spacing: 1 ½ lines