2. What is a Dissertation?
A dissertation is a particular kind of academic task.
You will usually be asked to generate a topic for yourself;
to plan and execute a project investigating that topic;
and to write-up what you did and what your findings were.
Important stages in the dissertation process include:
Choosing
a topic
Developing a
research
question
Effective
planning
of the
research
Being organized
and methodical
while conducting
your research
Reporting
the research
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3. Choosing a topic
1. Talk to others: what topics are other students considering?
2. Look at other writing: set aside some time to spend in the library
3. Look through the dissertations of previous students in your department
4. Think about your own interests?
5. Is there a related topic of interest to you that has not been covered in the syllabus
6. Be extra critical
7. Keep asking the question ‘Why?’ 3
4. What can a Research study do
Replicate
an existing
study in a
different
setting;
Explore an
under-
researched
area;
Extend a
previous
study;
Review the
knowledge
thus far in
a specific
field;
Develop or
test out a
methodology
or method;
Address a
research
question in
isolation, or
within a
wider
programme
of work; or
Apply a
theoretical
idea to a
real world
problem.
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5. Developing a Research Question
It is important that
you establish a
research problem
at, or close to the
start of, your
project.
It is one of the key
tools you have, to
ensure that your
project keeps
going in the right
direction.
Every task you
undertake should
begin with you
checking your
research problem and
asking “will this help
me address this
problem?”.
The issue that you are going
to be investigating;
Your argument or thesis (what
you want to prove, disprove, or
explore);
The limits of your research (i.e.
what you are not going to be
investigating).
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6. Planning and conducting a research project -
Introduction
Sometimes writing is seen as an activity
that happens after everything else:
“The research is going well, so the writing should be straightforward
- I can leave it until later”.
“I know I’m not good at writing so I keep putting it off”.
“I know I’m good at writing so I can leave it to later”.
“I want to get everything sorted out in my mind before I start writing
or I’ll just end up wasting my time re-writing”.
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7. These different perspectives
lead to the following potential problems
Regarding re-drafting as a failure
or a waste of time;
Ignoring the further learning;
Leaving too little time
for effective editing and final proofing.
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8. Getting on with the writing
A research proposal;
A literature review;
A report of any pilot studies that you undertook;
An abstract for a conference;
Reports for your supervisors;
A learning journal where
you keep ideas as they occur to you;
Notes for a presentation you have given.
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9. Check out what is required
The word/page limit Chapters to be included
Appropriate Content
The marking scheme
or guidance
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11. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
1.Title page
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12. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
2.Abstract
One of the
shortest
sections of
your thesis
Is a succinct
summary of
the research.
A stand alone
representation
One page long,
with a word
limit
A document in
its own right if
the thesis is
registered
within any
database.
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13. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
3.Acknowledgements
This is your opportunity
to mention individuals
who have been
particularly helpful.
Reading the
acknowledgements in
other dissertations in
your field will give you
an idea of the ways in
which different kinds of
help have been
appreciated and
mentioned.
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14. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
The contents pages
will show up the
structure of the
dissertation.
Any imbalance in
space devoted to
different sections of
content will become
apparent.
This is a useful check on
whether amalgamation
of sections, or creation of
further sections or sub-
sections is needed.
4.Contents, and figure and table lists
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15. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
5.Introduction
To expand the material
summarized in the
abstract, and
To signpost the content of
the rest of the
dissertation.
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16. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
6.The literature review or context of the study
Describe the current state of research in
your defined area;
Consider whether there are any closely
related areas that you also need to refer to;
Identify a gap where you argue that further
research is needed; and
Explain how you plan to attend to that
particular research gap.
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17. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
7.Chapter(s) describing methods, sources, material
A straightforward description
Describe equipment, process or materials
Give enough detail for another researcher to replicate
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18. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
8.Results / Findings
Check which style of reporting is preferred in your field.
A scientific dissertation would probably have very clear separation
between the results and the discussion of those results
A social science dissertation might have an overall chapter called
Findings, bringing the results and their discussion together.
Decisions about style of presentation
may need to be made about, for example:
Whether you want to begin with
The order you will be presenting results
What balance, in terms of word space, you want to achieve 18
19. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
9.Conclusions
This chapter is not a mere ‘summary’ of your research,
but needs to be ‘conclusions’
10.References
To be highly structured, and needs to include all of your references
in the required referencing style.
As you edit and rewrite your dissertation you will probably gain and
lose references that you had in earlier versions.
Check that all the references in your reference list are actually 19
20. Each section or chapter has its own particular function
10.Appendices
You need to check whether or not the appendices count within the
word limit for your dissertation.
Items that can usefully go in the appendices are those that a reader
would want to see, but which would take up too much space and
disrupt the flow if placed within the main text.
Again, make sure you reference the Appendices within the main text
where necessary.
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21. Differences between Research paper and Students Project
Research Paper Students Project
Can be defined as the written product
of a systematic research study of a
well- defined issue.
Involves a significant academic and
creative undertaking that
demonstrates originality and
independent thinking
Appropriate form and organization,
and a justification
While integrating work from at least
two of the three fields.
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22. Differences between Research paper and Students Project
Research Paper Students Project
Integrates work from related fields of study
Will clearly identify the research question
States the major theoretical assumptions
Explains the significance of the undertaking
review relevant literature
Identify and justify the sources for and
methods of gathering information
Analyzes the information or data
Presents and discuss results
Offers a conclusion or recommendation
A project generally presents a working
deliverable that is also a significant
scholarly effort.
Research papers and projects take a
variety of forms, including the following:
Writing a typical research paper
Writing a novel or short stories
Designing a website
Producing a film
Developing an action plan for an
organization
Developing a course or
instructional manual
Displaying photos or paintings
Developing a database
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