Final Research Project

Congratulations 3rd Years

Overview of the session

• Deadline reminder• The Dissertation– Format– Binding– Hard copy

submission• The Presentation– Format– Technical

Requirements– The day

Deadline Reminder

Monday 18th May

Dissertation Students: 5pm for hard copy11.30pm for online submission

PaR Students: Available all day for presentation11.30pm for online submission

The Dissertation

Format• Written submissions – the basics – dissertations will not all fit this model

– so use guidance from your supervisor for more specific formatting for your particular dissertation – these are general guidelines.

• 9,000 words (full dissertation), the word length includes quotations, but not bibliography or appendices. (you have 10% either side, so 1,000 words either way)

• Typed or word-processed, using black font (size 11/12)• Presented on A4 paper• Double-spaced (except for long quotations, over 40 words)• Given a reasonable left-hand margin for binding (add 1 cm)• All pages to be numbered at the bottom centre as from:

– Page 1: Title Page– Page 2: Abstract– Page 3: Table of contents

• With any accompanying photographic, video material, etc, securely attached to each copy of the dissertation (photocopies of illustrations are acceptable, especially in the second copy)

Structure

• Title page• Abstract • Contents page• Introduction• Chapters– Quotations

• Conclusion• Bibliography• Appendix/Appendices

Title Page

• Title of dissertation in capital letters• Student name and student number• An extended essay submitted in partial

fulfilment of the requirements for a BA Hons in ………., University of Bedfordshire, May 2015

Abstract

• An abstract of not more than 300 words should appear at the beginning of the dissertation. An abstract is a précis of the conclusions of the dissertation, not an account of the structure of the dissertation. It is not an introduction. It should tell us in synopsis form what you conclude from your research, what the gist of your argument is. You are basically giving away the ending.

Contents page

• The table of contents will normally indicate introduction, chapter titles, conclusion, any illustrative material, and bibliography, with page numbers for each. Subheadings within chapters are often helpful and should also be listed on the contents page.

Introduction

• Similar to the essay introduction, the dissertation introduction will introduce the dissertation topic to the readers. It will inform the readers what the dissertation is about and its purpose. A good introduction will provide the reader with background information on the subject; will point out the aim of the research and its value and state the dissertation questions and hypothesis clearly. As this is the first section in the body of the paper, student should ensure that it is written interestingly and accurately.

Chapters

• The structure of your chapters is particular to your dissertation – do not worry if somebody else has been advised differently, they have a different dissertation!

Quotations

Quotations will be of two kinds:• Short (i.e. less than 40 words). These will appear

in single quotation marks within the main body of the double spaced text, and correctly referenced using the Harvard referencing system, used by the Department of Performing Arts and English.

• Long (quotation exceeding 40 words) These will be indented, typed in single spacing, not in quotation marks, and correctly referenced.

Conclusion

• Your conclusion should be a substantial part of the dissertation where you tie up all of the ends and ideas established in the previous chapters. You may also make recommendations for the extension of the research, and predictions relating to findings this far.

Bibliography

• The bibliography should be placed at the end of your dissertation and should list in alphabetical order all those works and other resources that you have consulted in the preparation of your dissertation. List separately websites, videos and films, audio recordings, performances, unpublished material, etc. Please refer to the Performing Arts & English Referencing Guidelines for Students, which can be downloaded from the unit’s BREO shell and the Performing Arts Subject Guide on the Learning Resources Website: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/guides/performing-arts/plagref

Appendix/Appendices

• Singular – Appendix• Plural – Appendices• May be used for interviews or questionnaire

templates• Images

Binding

• Book an appointment with Jenny Hadfield in Reprographics– S0.03– Ext. 4064– Jenny.hadfield@beds.ac.uk

• Book this now and allow plenty of time!• No more than £3 for one copy (dependent on

size)

Hard copy submission

• You will need to download a top sheet from Sits E-vision

• An instruction powerpoint will be added to BREO for your information

• Submit via the library assignment dropbox

• Monday 18th at 5pm!

The Presentation

Format• Part 1: Presentation of a 5000 word academic paper.• • 5,000 words, the word length includes quotations, but not bibliography • Presented as an academic paper, to an audience of your peers• You will also need to submit the written paper via turnitin for our records• submitted by the deadline, presented in person and submitted via Turnitin • • Part 2: Materialised/ Physicalised/ Performative output• • 8 minute performative/ materialised/ physicalized output to accompany your presentation

paper.• This is to be negotiated with your tutor, it may be a film, live performance, excerpt of

workshops, documentary, interactive activity etc.• You should provide an explanation and introduction for this part of the assessment within your

presentation. • The two components should clearly link as ways of disseminating findings from your research

project.

The paper

• Written as a script• Do include an introduction and conclusion• Do include references and a bibliography• Assessed on the presentation not the

document

Technical Requirements

• Please ensure that you book an appointment with Alex Perry regarding any technical requirements– Tech Office– Ext. 4414– Alexander.perry@beds.ac.uk

• Please also email myself or Sadie with a brief outline of your performative component.

The Day

• We will contact you in the coming week with a schedule for the day but you need to be available for the whole day

• We would encourage you support one another and watch each others presentations

• Do not forget to upload the 5,000 document to BREO

• Monday 18th at 11.30pm

Questions?