2. Getting to grips with your dissertation

3. What is involved? What is an individual study or dissertation?
a structured piece of writing (usually 8,000 words +) on a topic chosen by you (in consultation with your supervisor)
it identifies a key question
it raises important, interesting and relevant issues and questions
it displays clear, reasoned and sustained argument and evidence
at some levels, an original contribution to research

4. Which Route? (1) Empirical research – a practical research project
(2) A literature based study

5. The Process
Plan
Research
Write

6. General Structure: An Example
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Literature review/Theory
Chapters 3/4/5: Methodology/ Findings/Discussion
Chapter 6*: Conclusion
References
Appendix (if relevant)
*Numbers of chapters will vary according to your project

7. Preparing your individual study will further enhance your skills
What skills will it enable you to demonstrate? The ability to:
work independently, plan, organise and manage time
identify a relevant research topic and define a research question
make judgements and be selective
think critically: evaluate reliability and validity of the information and data
synthesise material
communicate findings
present a clear, coherent discussion
express ideas by creating a reasoned argument
relate issues to your subject area

8. What’s your topic? Motivation/enthusiasm
Is the topic wide enough/too wide?
Is it an interesting area of debate?
What has already been written on this topic?
Strategy – how will you undertake this research?
Practical issues (feasibility, time, resources)
Ethical issues (depending on topic)

9. Planning What do you want to explore? clarify your interest
formulate questions
what do you want to find out?
what is your objective?
how will you do this?
How can you find answers to your questions?
survey available sources
decide on your methodology/approach
empirical/literature based?
discuss your approach with your supervisor
any possible problems, limitations or constraints?
ethical considerations

10. Identifying Sources Primary sources – Contemporary documents
letters, diaries, personal journals, speeches, manuscripts, interviews
newspaper or magazine articles
photographs, literary works, films, plays, recordings
data and statistics

11. Secondary sources Interpret primary sources: books academic journals
may include radio or television documentaries
popular periodicals

12. An overview: the research process
Identify appropriate research methods
Consider how you will gain access to or collect data
Manage data (coding/transcribing)
Analyse data
Develop discussion
Write-up results

13. Empirical/Practical Research (1) Research design or methodology
Will vary according to subject area/choice
Select appropriate methods/styles of research
The method/s you choose should evolve out of your question
Justify your choice: why would your chosen approach/style/s be appropriate rather than others?

14. Collecting Data: Questionnaires, Interviews and Focus Groups
How will you collect data?
Sample (size, representative, manageability)
Approach
Collecting data: designing questions
Consider: data required, nature of questions, interpretation and bias, collating material

15. Literature based dissertation (2)
Explores a topic in depth through a study of current literature
Is a critical review of work in the field
Presents an original way of understanding an issue or topic by using literature

16. Relevance of sources
Identify material and resources which can help you to explore and answer your question
Be selective
Consider what helps to clarify issues, answers your question, adds to current debates in your area of interest?
Initially read through the research and consider:
how does this source help you explore the topic
what does it contribute to current areas of discussion?
in what ways does the material differ from and is similar to other material?

17. Activity: Creating a working title
Consider your assessment of the literature
What would you like to say about your topic?
Try writing up to ten words which sum up your ideas on the topic
Try using this technique with your chosen subject.

18. Managing your research
Planning is vital
Be aware of time
Be realistic: how much time do you have? What can you achieve in your time frame?
Create a realistic task calendar from now until your completion date
Allow time to write, for delays
Use our dissertation time manager, in conjunction with the weekly time planner to organise your study time

19. Managing your research
get started as soon as possible
develop a system (e.g. notebook, card index, PC)
maintain precise records of all material consulted
organise your records/keep all material in one place
back-up files
look at other dissertations
try to get writing as soon as possible
check referencing
Keep going!

20. Writing up: Putting your dissertation together
A General Format (check with your department)
Abstract
Acknowledgements
Contents
List of abbreviations
List of maps/plates/charts/tables
Introduction
Chapters
Conclusion
Reference list
Appendices

21. Introduction (General)
Identifies the purpose of your study
sets out the aims of the study/research question
places your topic in context
provides justification for this study: why is this issue/topic worth exploring? How does it add to current research?
Overview:
indicates what you will investigate and how you plan to investigate it
shows how the discussion will be developed in the forthcoming chapters

22. Begin with wide context
Introduction
Begin with wide context
The discussion begins to narrow
as the focus of your issue is explored
The introduction should be finalised once the main body has been completed

23. As you write…
Remember that it is important to try to engage with your reader. Try to imagine any questions your reader might ask:
What does this mean?
What is the evidence for this?
How do these ideas link?

24. Chapters: The Literature Review
A literature review should usually follow on from the Introduction (though this may vary).
What is the purpose of the literature review?

25. Exploring the literature
The literature review provides an opportunity to gather and explore published material on your topic. It is an up to date assessment of the range and breadth of research on your particular topic.
The literature review
presents an overview of significant literature on your topic
highlights key themes, points of discussion and debate
demonstrates that you know the field
justifies the research project
underpins your research
identifies need for further research in a particular area
places your research within the appropriate academic context

26. Your literature review should…
be analytical: don’t just report what has been written and who said what
identify the strengths, weaknesses and significance of research in your field
assess the contribution of this research

27. Chapters: Methodology
Discussion of the methods you used to collect data. This section should allow someone to replicate your study. What did you do?
Justification for your methodology
why did you do it?
is it appropriate?
strengths/weaknesses of your approach
discussion of any ethical issues

28. A literature based study: Reviewing the material
A critical appraisal of the evidence
Explores the validity, reliability and accuracy of your sources. Areas to focus on:
Date/setting
Audience – implications
Perspectives/approach/justification?
Research methods: look for different approaches to research on your topic

29. Chapters: Discussion of your findings
What are the implications of your findings?
How do they support your hypothesis?
What conclusions do they suggest?
It may be helpful to think of your discussion as presenting a ‘case’. Back up your ‘case’ with clear reasoning and strong evidence
Show how the evidence helps to support your case
Show how your work fits into the context of other work

30. Discussion A synthesis of evidence discussed Draws your ideas together
What themes/issues have you identified?
Think about how your re/search approach may have impacted upon your results/conclusions
Summarise your argument
Show how your evidence relates/how does it fit together
Similarities/differences
Quality of evidence
Is there a need for further research?

31. As you write, remember…
it should be a clear, coherent discussion which should hold together
answer your question
try to be innovative - use the literature to present an original way of understanding the issue or topic
it is important to try to engage with your reader. Try to imagine any questions your reader might ask:
what does this mean?
what is the evidence?
how does this develop the discussion?

32. Conclusion Draws the threads of your discussion together
Summarises your argument
Relates directly to your question
Shows why your argument is preferable to any alternatives (may point out any problems with your argument)
May:
state the need for further research
include recommendations
Implications for policy (if relevant)

33. Tips
Manage your time
Create a calendar from now until the completion date
Keep a task list
Don’t leave writing until the last minute
Leave plenty of time for a final proof-read
Follow guidelines
Reference appropriately
Keep up to date with references
Remember that your question may develop as you progress through your research

34. Maintaining Motivation
Try to keep your long-term goal in mind
Review your time management regularly – is it working for you? Are you on target?
Try to maintain a balance with other activities
Reflect on your progress
Seek guidance and feedback as soon as possible