Planning a Dissertation
Dr Matthew Copping
• How does a dissertation differ
from an essay?
Dissertations
More detail
Longer
Independence
More depth
Presentation (graphics?)
More ‘angles’
Originality
Review of literatureFormat
More literature
Content:• Topic is your choice
• More – depth & detail
– ‘angles’ covered
– literature used
– critical/summative
evaluation of the
literature
– independent, ‘original’
research
Physical artefact:• Formatting (font type &
size, line spacing)
• Formal presentation
(division of contents into
chapters/sections)
• Academic writing styles
• Binding format
• Use of graphics
Dissertation (1)
• Close relationship to taught elements
• Wider scope than coursework assignments
• Original research element
• More thorough use of the literature
• Must use appropriate research methods
• Presents clear question(s) that the dissertation
seeks to answer
Dissertation (2)
Realistic
RelevantInteresting
Achievable
PracticalAffordable
Accessible Ambitious enough
Too ambitious?
Up-to-date
Is your research project..?
Valuable
Practicable
• Seek advice
Planning
• Seek advice
• Be organised
Planning
• Seek advice
• Be organised
• Understand what is required
Planning
• Seek advice
• Be organised
• Understand what is required
• Recognise how long it will take
Planning
Dissertation proposal
a) Outline of topic
b) Preliminary literature search
c) Research methodology to be used
d) Dissertation outline
e) Project schedule
Choose research area
Preliminary research (scoping)
Decide research topic
Finalise methodology
Conduct research (fieldwork)
Writing up
Submit finished dissertation
Analysis/data processing
Submit/present proposal
Research Project
Decide methodology
Research Project(Gantt Chart)
Choose research area
Preliminary research
Decide research topic
Decide methodology
Submit/present proposal
Finalise methodology
Conduct research
Analyse data
Write up
Submit assignment
Wk
26
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25
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14
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• Title
• Acknowledgements
• Table of contents
• Main body
• Bibliography
• Appendices
Dissertation structure
• Title
• Acknowledgements
• Table of contents
• Main body
• Bibliography
• Appendices
• Introduction
• Literature
review
• ‘n’ Chapters
• Conclusion
Dissertation structure
4. Government Controlled Banks
4.1 State Bank of India
4.2 Punjab National Bank
5. Private Sector Banks
5.1 ICICI Bank
5.2 HDFC Bank
6. Foreign Banks
6.1 Citibank
6.2 Standard Chartered
7. Banking in India – A Summary
7.1 Threats
7.2 Opportunities
1. Introduction (incl. lit review)
2. The private mad-business and patronage by the Honourable East India Company
3. Asylums in India
4. A passage from India
i. Pembroke House Lunatic Asylum
ii. The Royal India Lunatic Asylum
5. The patients: “Indian insanes”
6. The treatment: “humane and enlightened”
7. Conclusion
• Title
• Acknowledgements
• Table of contents
• Main body
• Bibliography
• Appendices
• Introduction
• Background info.
• Literature review
• Methodology
• Findings/results
• Analysis
• Discussion/analysis
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
Dissertation structure
4. Analysis
4.1 Integrated system
4.1.1 Costs
4.1.2 Benefits
4.2 Separate system
4.2.1 Costs
4.2.2 Benefits
5. Discussion
5.1 Integrated or separate system
5.2 Other alternatives
Abstract
1. Introduction (incl. lit. review)
2. Method
2.1 Subjects
2.2 Measures and materials
2.3 Manipulations
2.4 Data recording and coding
2.5 Procedure
3. Results
3.1 General results
3.2 Specific results
4. Discussion
Problem solving• Precise problem
• Defined
• Directional
• Focused
• Secure
Challenge:
To identify the problem
Progressive focusing• Exploratory
• Emergent
• Negotiable
• Unbounded
• Free
Challenge:
To create & impose meaning
Research patterns
Research topicRevised research topic
Writing tips• Start somewhere easy
• Write it now, edit it later
• Don’t limit yourself to a keyboard
• Set word targets, but don’t fixate on them
• Write-up research as you go along
• Have a system of version control
• Use templates
• Allow time for printing & binding
Conclusion
• Any other questions you have
about dissertations?