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Yanuar Nugroho – Research Associate, MIoIR [email protected]
Masters Dissertations
Dissertation is a formal requirement to satisfy a masters degree in UK HEIs. Some departments require research papers, some other final project reports. While the completion of either of these is normally internally supervised, the final assessment is usually carried out by external examiners.
We will be focusing on dissertation in this session.
What is a good dissertation? What is not?
Theoretical framework, approach, methods, instruments
Putting all together: Writing up
Dos and Don'ts: Devising strategies
A typical masters dissertation
• Approx 20k words of standard English
• Research, not theoretically, oriented
• Makes up 40% ‐ 50% of the final mark
• A course of 3 months working period
• … and within the normal‐curve:• 60% above 20k need permission!• 80% last minute submission• 85% went through revision, or just
mark below average• 95% bad written English
The small print:
The hard truth: Your 3‐month life during dissertation can be hell –or seriously ruined—unless you prepare yourself in all aspects: physical, emotional, –including financial. After completing fieldwork (if any), writing up is the next nightmare. Although English is not the only factor of the success of your dissertation, having a readable text helps lever the assessment marks. Quite a big proportion of students consider using a service of proof‐reader to help them with their English.
Proposal
Research design
Data collection
Analysis
Writing up
A masters dissertation
What is a good dissertation?
Dissertations are written in order to demonstrate competence to examiners so that you are awarded the degree that you enrolled for. In order to maximise your chances, your primary goal should not be making the major contribution to your field; it should not be to dazzle the people in your department with your brilliance – it should be to hand in a solid work in a reasonable amount of time.
The small print:
Another hard truth: very few people will ever read your dissertation. Millions of master’s (and PhD) dissertations have been written, but very, very few have become anything approaching bestsellers, or redefined how we look at the world. Yours is unlikely to be an exception. This does not mean you cannot do your dissertation on something you enjoy, or that you should not to try push the boundaries of knowledge, but it does mean that practicality should be your prime motivator.
RelevantSignificant
LogicRealistic
Doable
… and what is not?
An inappropriate dissertation is usually not a solid piece of work: either the research questions are not clear, or the conceptual framework/theoretical basis is shallow; or the scope is too wide; or the approach is vague; or the methods are trivial; or the instruments are unsuitable; or it is too complex; or it is loosely written; or it is mostly the combination of two or more above aspects.
The small print:
Examiners are not happy to read bad dissertations. Bad dissertation is usually caused by an overly ambitious idea. Don’t try to solve the world’s problems in your dissertation, even if you really care about them – do that later. By all means, lay the foundation in your dissertation, but don’t compromise your primary goal of finishing and passing on schedule.
Goal (‘will’)
Process (‘what, how, when’)
Discipline
Timely, solid piece of work
Theoretical framework
A solid dissertation is usually written based on a research that mobilises a simple theoretical frameworks based on just one or two theories in order to address a set of research questions. Make sure the theories being used are well articulated; make sure the main debates around these theories are well discussed; and make sure the theoretical framework picks their main features.
The small print:
The last thing the examiners are expecting to see is bullet‐point‐lists of theories. Write your Literature Review chapter (usually Chapter Two) as flowing, readable lines of argument; not pointers of theories.
Define research area
Identify one-two main theories
Identify debates around these theories
Devise a simple theoretical framework
Workable research plan
Approach
The small print:
Examiners are not looking for sophisticated method. What they are expecting is to see a simple approach that works: an approach that is consistently followed by choice of methods and instruments
Methods and instruments
consists of
Validated and brought upon into collective reflection in …
results inresults in
fed into
consolidated
consists of
consists ofconsists of
QuantitativeQualitative
Postal Survey
Electronic Survey
Other quantitative analysis
Survey
MSWord Form
Online survey
Maps, trends, patterns, etc.
Statistical Analysis
General profiles ofRespondents, exploration of
pattern
Research Approach
Workshops & FGD
Interview analysis
Detailed accounts on ‘how’ ; ‘why’; ‘what’
results in
In-depth Interview
The small print:
Although it is ideal to have a combination of methods, this is often not a realistic things to do in a masters dissertation. Chose either quantitative or qualitative approach and make sure all the data is collected and analysed using the appropriate framework suitable for such an approach. In the discussion section (usually Chapter Five), discuss the limitation of the method chosen.
Be knowledgeable …!
Rigorous research depends on sound analysis, which in turn depends on the valid data collected through a correct instrument chosen from a certain method that is devised from a particular approach underpinned by a theoretical framework to answer a set of answerable research questions.
The small print:
The examiners are not interested in the result; but more on the process the research was undertaken. Therefore, for example, in examining quantitative research, the focus is not on the discussion of the trend of ‘N’ or ‘n’, but on how the ‘sd’ is being tackled. Likewise, in assessing qualitative dissertation, the examiner will likely be looking at how different accounts of individual respondent shed light on the research agenda rather than scrutinising pattern of respondent’s answer. However, a demonstration of a working knowledge of certain tools, e.g. CAQDAS (Atlas.Ti, N‐Vivo) or statistical packages (SPSS, Stata) is always useful in helping the assessment of a dissertation.
Theoretical framework
Approach
Methods
Instruments
Data collection
Analysis
A solid, rigour research outcome
Writing up
• Simple, clear English. Short sentences. Avoid compound sentences as much as possible.
• Active statement, rather than passive voice.
• Pay attention to format (referencing, formatting, etc.)
• Plagiarism is severely punished
• Draft, draft, draft, draft … and draft
The small print:
Coherent is the keyword. That is what the examiners are looking for. Typically, examiners will see if the research questions stated in Chapter One are all addressed and answered in the concluding chapter (usually Chapter Five). If they are, then the discussion part will be the next to look at to see if the student is able to mobilise the theories and use the theoretical framework to build the argument. If this chapter sounds fine, the data will be checked through checking the instruments. It is always a good idea to keep a ‘research log’ so that student is always ready to replicate the analysis if necessary. Writing up a dissertation is not like reading a book, starting from the first chapter and ending in the last chapter. Instead, usually a writing up is started by putting down the data (result), then discussing the data, and concluding it. Then, literature review is revised (or written) and methodology. Introduction, the first chapter, is the last chapter to write (or revise).
Introduction – 6
Literature review – 4
Methodology – 5
Data and result – 1
Discussions/Analysis – 2
Conclusion/Recomm – 3
A well structured argument
(dissertation)
Be strategic …!
Dissertation is not the end of the purpose of your life‐journey in the world. But failing to finish it may turn your world upside down. So, be strategic. Do what you have to do and leave aside all things that you don’t need to. Data collection can be laborous and lengthy –as well as developing an application. Take this all in mind when managing your time: your life is not just about dissertation!
The small print:
Within the normal curve, dissertation mark usually falls into =60‐64 in average. A simple, solid research, with a minimum level of English readability will be granted this mark. An improvement in English will add 2‐3 points (a good styling will generate 5 points!). A noticeable consistent approach‐methods‐instruments will gain 5 more points.
Dos
• Read, read, read …! • Quote journal as the
main reference• Use alternative ways
of data collection• Manage your time:
use a gantt-chart!• Always have a “B”
plan• Make friend with
your supervisor(s)• Submit well in
advance of the deadline
Be strategic …!Don’ts
• Quote heavily from books, or unsolicited resources
• Be careless in format• Submit your
dissertation unless with two drafts
• Challenge your supervisor(s) unless for a noble reason (! ☺)
• Spend too much time on dissertation (!!!)
Dissertation is not the end of the purpose of your life‐journey in the world. But failing to finish it may turn your world upside down. So, be strategic. Do what you have to do and leave aside all things that you don’t need to. Data collection can be laborous and lengthy –as well as developing an application. Take this all in mind when managing your time: your life is not just about dissertation!
The small print:
Within the normal curve, dissertation mark usually falls into =60‐64 in average. A simple, solid research, with a minimum level of English readability will be granted this mark. An improvement in English will add 2‐3 points (a good styling will generate 5 points!). A noticeable consistent approach‐methods‐instruments will gain 5 more points.
Beware: your supervisor is not your proof‐reader. Most supervisors –and it is their job– will only check the coherence and logics of the arguments. The English is entirely your responsibility.
