Introduction to Writing Your Dissertation
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Transcript of Introduction to Writing Your Dissertation
DissertationAn introduction
to getting started (and beyond)
Dr Craig Hammond (UCBC)
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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:
• 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
• 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