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