Completing a research project Ronan Fitzpatrick Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. Diploma in Applied Sciences - WSAD 4 DIT Kevin Street, Dublin January 2001

The process Research Broad research Analysis and critique Report Dissertation and chapter structure Professionally reported Authoritative writing and reporting style Present Project presentation

Broad research Primary or secondary Methods –Literature search, Interview, Questionnaire, Career experience, Observation. Sources Libraries, CD-ROM, inter-library loan, Internet –Academic journals, Conference papers, White papers, International standards, Legislation, EU Directives, Textbooks, Technical press.

Analysis and critique Identify the core issues –Organisational, Technological, Human Resources, Financial, Legal –Discard non-core research Use W6H for explaining –What, who, when, where, why, how and which –Always establish what first and then include the remainder if appropriate Critique –Identify fors/againsts, advantages/disadvantages, problems/challenges and if appropriate critique them negatively and positively.

Dissertation and chapter structure Dissertation (Manual) structure Abstract, Acknowledgements, List of Figures Chapter 1- Introduction (This is page 1) Internal chapters Last chapter – Conclusion Glossary of Terms Bibliography Chapter structure Overview paragraph Introductory section Chapter sections Chapter conclusion. Chapter 5 Title Overview paragraph 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Title 5.3 Title 5.X Conclusion

Abstract This is an overview of the dissertation, which is intended to convince others that the content is significant. Weave the keywords of your text into a summary of about 200 words. First thing to be read, last thing to be written.

Chapter 1- Introduction The Aim of the project Why you are doing this project Who you are writing it for – your readers How you did your research The structure of the remainder of the dissertation. –Chapter 2 does whatever –Chapter 3 does …

Chapter structure Overview paragraph –Aim of chapter, why you are writing it, who you are writing it for, and any research specific to this chapter. –Indicate how the chapter is structured, i.e., Section 5.1 introduces … Section 5.2 explains and so on. Introduction Section titles ( and sub-sections) Conclusion –Summarise what you have written AND note any conclusions that you can draw from your research. –If appropriate, explain what’s next.

Professionally reported References – Without references your project is not research. It is probably closer to journalism or simply your own opinion. Cite references in the text as (Bloggs, 1997) and in the Bibliography give the full reference i.e., Surname, Initial, (year in brackets) Title, Publisher, City, Country, Vol(Issue), Page Nos Language – Write using best English vocabulary, grammar, syntax and semantics in properly structured paragraphs. Avoid slang and colloquialisms. Remember to write text at a level appropriate to your readers.

Professionally reported Style - Use a consistent style for page headers, footers, headings at level 1, level 2 and level 3, bulleted and numbered lists. Illustrations – Figures and Tables are essential aids for your readers so, us a consistent format for presenting them –Border, reference number, caption, different font, bold titles –Refer to them in the text –Explain then to your readers.

Authoritative writing style Do Write in the passive voice (e.g., the research was completed) Write gender-free text Include examples in order to clarify topics for your readers Be consistent with bulleted lists, numbered lists, figure and table captions Be consistent with the spelling of new technical words –For example, end-user, e-Commerce, Internet Keep your sentences to under twenty-two words Proof-read your work for typing errors Re-read your work for structure, meaning and clarity.

Authoritative writing style Don’t Don’t use the words, etc., one or one’s, basically, essentially Don’t write “this chapter will attempt to…” (Write “this chapter will”) Don’t write “As already stated...” (Write in “Section X.Y it was explained”) Don’t confuse it’s with its, or there, they’re, their Don’t rely only on a spellchecker Don’t include clipart unless it is significant to your report.