Presentation by Dr Craig Hammond (UCBC) on how to prepare for, begin researching, and, start writing your Social Science Undergraduate Dissertation

1. Dissertation
An introduction
to getting started
(and beyond)
Dr Craig Hammond (UCBC)

2. • The dissertation
– What is a dissertation?
• In UK universities, a dissertation is:
• An extended piece of writing (at Undergraduate or
Masters Level)
– It incorporates an extended process of reading &
research
– It includes a level of independent theoretical and/or
primary research

3. • Structuring your UCBC/Social Science Dissertation
• Your Dissertation will consist of the following main
sections:
– Introduction
– Literature Review
– Methodology
– Main Sections (with Chapter Headings)
– Conclusion
• You will find additional details in your Dissertation template

5. • How am I going to assist you to research,
structure, and eventually write your Dissertation?
• Basically …
– The first 3 weeks
– Wednesday slots will be taught sessions; here we will
go through protocol, requirements, form-signing,
understanding paperwork (and other essential
processes)
– From week 4 onwards
– You will book 30 minute ‘1-2-1’ appointments with
me:
• Monday’s 4.00-5.00, & Wednesday’s 3.30 -5.30

6. • Today you will be invited to join your own personal
dissertation dropbox folder
• Your personal dropbox folder will contain all of the
appropriate forms, templates, risk-assessments, &
consent forms
• You will all also be invited to a shared dissertation
dropbox folder – this contains day/time appointment &
booking sheets
– You will need to book your appointment slots here
– NB: ESSENTIAL – record all activities via dropbox: we all
live/operate in a culture of litigation

7. • The shared dropbox folder appointment grids
• Access and book via dropbox (type your name & save to
the appropriate document)
• I regularly check & record
all booking entries
• After your first meeting
• You must see me at least
once per calendar month

9. • All of your planned research activities must be ethical, transparent
and well organised
• All UCBC forms and processes must be completed, (and adhered
to), prior to any stage of research
• Never approach external contacts without my knowledge / backing
/ signed paperwork
– Your research is not “covered” by the Institution, until I ‘sign it off’ (via
the forms)
• Remember: The legal importance of securely storing & saving all
info/data (data protection)
• Conduct risk-assessments where necessary
– You may be required to submit your research proposal and all completed forms to
the Ethics Committee

10. • What should I be doing now
• If you have already decided upon your research
area, start to complete your UCBC
Research/Dissertation forms
– All are contained in your personal dropbox folder
– Do not continue/progress any research until your
proposal is agreed / signed
• If you have not yet decided on your Dissertation
area, start to produce ideas around the following:

11. • How to generate an initial idea
• Jot down possible areas of interest
• Draw up a shortlist of topics
• Check in library how much has been written about a
topic
• Ask about dissertations/articles written on similar
topics
• Read papers and articles to raise issues
• Compare/contrast a couple of articles on a topic
• Discuss with other students

12. • To complete this week, ensure that you:
• Have been invited to/joined your dropbox
folders
• Have initialled and signed your UCBC1 Form
(Student Checklist Declaration)
• Understand that you need to read through all
of the UCBC Research Forms in advance of
next week