1. Computing Honours Project (COMP10034) Lecture 8 Final Honours Project Report (and Advice for Interim Report)

2. Final Honours Project Report Worth 60% of overall Honours Project Module Draft to your supervisor by Friday 3 rd April 2015 at latest (end Week 9 of Trimester 2) Final submission date - Friday 24 th April 2015 (end Week 11 of Trimester 2) Your supervisor may be supervising several other Hons Project – don’t expect instant comments and feedback!

3. Used to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding Enables you to define, analyse and solve problems Enables you to critically analyse and evaluate information Allows you to communicate your ideas in writing Reinforces what you have learnt Helps you evaluate what you have learnt Final Honours Project Report

4. Length of the Final Hons Project Report 10,000-15,000 words Depends on nature of the Hons Project i.e. whether it is a investigative in nature (more report based) or developmental Hons Project (more based around prototype) You should consult your supervisor for advice

5. Structure of the Final Hons Project Report Hons Project Report is main means of communicating your work and ideas with the examiners/markers You could produce a 1 or 2 page outline plan indicating main chapters, headings and points and discuss this with your supervisor first

6. Structure of Final Hons Project Report The Hons Project Report should be divided into: Chapters (usually around 6 or 7 and not more than 10) Each chapter should have: - Chapter number - Chapter title - Headings - Subheadings

7. Chapter 2 Literature Review 2.1 Introduction to Chapter 2.2 Another Heading 2.2.1 Subheading etc.. 2.6 Summary of Chapter

8. Structure of Final Hons Project Report In terms of chapter titles your Marking Scheme can provide useful ideas for example: Literature ReviewEvaluation and Testing Primary ResearchDesign of Mobile App Analysis of ResultsCritical self-Appraisal Development of Mobile App Recommendations and Conclusion

9. Structure of Final Hons Project Report It is important to ensure that the structure of your final Hons Project Report bears some correlation to the contents of the marking scheme Provides a means of ensuring you haven’t overlooked key areas within the marking scheme

10. Structure of Final Hons Project Report Title Page Library Reference Sheet (see Handbook) Table of Contents Acknowledgements Abstract Body of Document (i.e. Chapters) References Appendices

11. Structure of Final Hons Project Report What is the difference between an Abstract and an Introduction? An Abstract should summarise entire project - Very brief background - Summary of methods - Summary of results - Summary of conclusions

12. Structure of Final Hons Project Report An Introduction should layout the context of the work: - Background - Justification or rationale for the project - Present objectives and scope - Present research question(s) - Outline structure of dissertation

13. Language and Style Be formal – this is an academic report Avoid first person Try not to use I/we/me etc Use passive rather than active voice – write about the action rather than about the actor e.g. I sent out a questionnaire to the end users (avoid this style of writing) A questionnaire was sent out to the end users (this style is better)

14. Language and Style Avoid slang words and phrasing (e.g. I interviewed some bloke from the IT Department ) Avoid informal abbreviations/contractions (e.g. don’t, wont, can’t, isn’t etc) Do not use texting language (e.g. CU, L8R, OMG) Be professional - Check spelling - Check grammar - Check punctuation

15. Language and Style Avoid slang words and phrasing (e.g. I interviewed some bloke from the IT Department ) Avoid informal abbreviations/contractions (e.g. don’t, wont, can’t, isn’t etc) Do not use texting language (e.g. CU, L8R, OMG) Be professional - Check spelling - Check grammar - Check punctuation

16. Overall Formatting Typed using Word 2003 compatible format Include page numbers (often overlooked) Use A4 paper size 2.5 cm margins at top, bottom and edges of paper Either single or 1.5 spaced Font size of main body text should be 11pt or 12pt using clear fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman

17. Writing For the Literature Review don’t use multiple lines of quotes from the literature just strung together over pages and pages Use quotes where necessary but don’t over do it

18. Use a writing style such as the following for example: You might say: Major shortfalls associated with approach X have been highlighted by Smith (2009) and Jones (2010) who make the points that..... Or… Writing and Referencing

19. A number of authors have highlighted particular shortfalls with approach X in terms of how it can be applied in the real world (e.g. Smith, 2008; Jones, 2010). Commonly cited problems associated with approach X that these authors highlight include... Discuss the authors’ points without directly quoting all the time or just cutting and pasting You can use quotes for example in defining terms or concepts etc but don’t overdo it Writing and Referencing

20. Figures, Illustrations etc If directly referred to in the narrative should be placed in the text as close as possible to the first point at which they are mentioned Each type of illustration should be numbered consecutively throughout the Hons Project, e.g. Figure 1, Table 3.1 etc. If taken from other works, the source of the illustration should be given under the illustration Figure 1: Title (Source: Smith and Jones, 2011)

21. Figures, Illustrations etc If the illustrations are not directly referred to in the text, but are used to emphasise a point made, they should be gathered together as Appendices at the end of the Hons Project Illustrations and tables should fit onto one page, taking care that they do not run over from the bottom of a page to the top of the next page

22. The Writing Process Your writing should be critical drawing upon evidence to justify points Usually takes multiple drafts – seldom get everything right after a single draft Proof read critically for content, validity, completeness, robustness, as well as… Style, fluency and language

23. The Writing Process Use commas, full stops, paragraphs etc – don’t have 10 line sentences or pages full of 1 line sentences Use other people to proof read if you wish Supervisors may provide feedback on the overall content, flow of arguments, structure etc It is not your supervisor’s role to proof read your Hons Project – that is your responsibility!

24. The Writing Process It is not your supervisor’s job or role to write the Hons Project report for you Nor is it the supervisor’s role to spot all errors and mistakes – they don’t do your work for you Get any drafts to them early – they are likely going to be very busy and you are in a queue Do not stalk or hound your supervisor!

25. Finding literature for your Hons Project Typical sources for finding literature might be: Google Scholar Wikipedia Google search UWS Library e-resources http://www.uws.ac.uk/about-uws/services-for-students/library/e-resources-and-athens/a-- -z-list-of-all-databases/ http://www.uws.ac.uk/about-uws/services-for-students/library/e-resources-and-athens/a-- -z-list-of-all-databases/ There is also help on how to use the resources: http://www.uws.ac.uk/about-uws/services-for-students/library/guides-and-online-help/ Finding Resources

26. Critical Self-Appraisal Can cover areas such as: - Have the objectives been met? - What contributed to successes / failure? - What is the contribution of your work? - What are the implications of your work? - What have you learnt and how might it relate to your course/programme as a whole? - What would you do differently?

27. Appendices Used for material which is: - Too large or detailed for the main body of text - You will refer to from the main body of text Examples include: - Tables of results, examples of completed questionnaires, interview transcripts - Program code or configuration files

28. Advice Start early on the drafts of both your Interim Report and drafts of chapters that will make up your final Hons Project report Plan out the structure of the Interim Report May be leave the Introduction a few weeks when you have a clearer idea and picture Think about subheadings for your Literature Review or Background discussion

29. Advice Start writing as soon as you can Don’t spend all your time planning, thinking and banging your head against a brick wall! Once you start writing you have something tangible to show your supervisor to get comments and feedback

30. Advice It takes time to be able to write clearly and effectively for a 2:1 / 1 st class Hons Project Further support advice will be given during seminar sessions and drop-in/support sessions both in the remainder of Trimester 1 and weekly during Trimester 2