This document provides guidance for students on completing a dissertation project. It outlines the requirements and assessment breakdown, which includes a 5-10 minute presentation worth 30% and a 6000 word dissertation worth 70%. It describes the purpose and structure of the dissertation proposal, including developing a research question, aim, objectives, literature review plan, methodology, and bibliography. The document offers tips for utilizing support resources like lectures, seminars, tutorials, and meetings with supervisors. It warns against plagiarism and outlines the scheme of work and timeline for completing tasks.

1. CONTEXTUAL STUDIES:
DISSERTATION
In introduction

2. WEIGHTED
Presentation 30%
(5 to 10 minutes presentation)
Dissertation 70%
6000 word dissertation
(word count )

3. PRESENTATION
Early in the first term.
To outline and define your research strategy
To indicate what support may be needed
To indicate the appropriate dissertation supervisor
This is a formative assessment point.
Failure?

4. THEORY
Asking why !

5. STARTING
Good foundation
Difficulties without solid foundation
Proposal
Aim
Objectives
Methodology
Lit review

6. PROPOSAL
The purpose of the proposal is to formulate your ideas for a
dissertation and to enable you to visualise a more detailed
description of your outcomes.
Proposed structure

7. 1 - TITLE
This could be a title or a research question
Research question prompts your area of research
Research question prompts a theoretical argument
A clear indication of the content of the dissertation.

8. 2 - AIM
An overall statement of the nature of the original research (what
you intend to do).
(The point of the work )

9. 3 - OBJECTIVES
The specific questions you intend to answer. You may find it
impossible to identify all the questions until you have done
more extensive research. But offer some examples as evidence
that some research has been made for the proposal. What you
want to achieve and why.
Mini missions or question to answer
Achieving these missions or answering your questions means
that your conclusion will achieve your AIM.

10. 4 - LITERATURE REVIEW PLAN
What literature are you going to use.
Not to be confused with a literature review.
Literature review - what the world says about your
subject/argument (specific)
Literature review plan – what the work says about your area of
research (non specific)

11. 5 -METHODOLOGY
How are you going to achieve you objectives? Outline your
method of data collection, analysis, target group etc. and
include some critical evaluation of why you have chosen this
method
Why use secondary research over surveys?
Bell, J (1998) Doing your research project: a guide for first- time
researchers in education and social science. Open University Press.

12. 6 - BIBLIOGRAPHY
This is a bibliography and references that you have used in the
making of the proposal.
NOT what literature you will use in the final dissertation.

13. DISSERTATION HANDBOOK
Useful tips.

14. ATTENDANCE
Limited number of contact time
Take full advantage of:-
Lectures
Seminars
Group tutorials
Individual one to one with your dissertation supervisor.

15. DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR
Contact time
Come prepared
Talk things through
Draft – very important
Not here to do the research for you

16. PLAGIARISM
Reference people who help you
Reference proof reader or translator
Do not self –plagiarise

17. SCHEME OF WORK
1. title
2. lectures
3. presentation
4. group tutorials
5. draft
6. one to one

18. EXTRA SUPPORT
Academic support – available over the summer
Disability support
Language support

19. EXTRAS
Proof reading
Research expenses
Binding (if you want a copy)

20. QUESTIONS

21. TASK
Work in groups
Look at your title
Major project?