Lecture 10 guidence on writing your dissertation

Lecture 10: Guidance on

Writing your Dissertation

Kevin Standish

Learning Outcomes

1. Organisation of the dissertation

2. Writing the introductory chapter

3. Writing the review of the literature

4. Explaining the methodology

5. Mastering the academic style

1. ORGANISATION OF THE

DISSERTATION

1. How are dissertations organised?

2. Principles that govern chapter organisation

3. Making organisation of the dissertation clear to

the reader

4. Overall packaging of the dissertation

1.1. How are dissertations

organised?1.Dissertations are organized in whatever way it enables you to communicate your results clearly to the reader.2.There is a general pattern used in most dissertations, widely used not just due to tradition, but because it has its own internal logical structure.3.It is a pattern that provides answers to 5 fundamental questions:

1. What is the problem that I studied? This is the concern of the first chapter.

2. How does my study relate to previous work? This is the review of the literature

3. What methods today used to study the problem? This is a discussion of the methodology.

4. What results did I obtained? This is the reporting of the results. This is not a discussion of the results

5. What does it all mean? This is the discussion and summary of the results in relation to the literature.

There are many variations to this basic structure.

1.2. Principles that govern

chapter organisation

1. Each chapter must be seen to relate to the whole of the dissertation.2. The reader should have a feeling that are reading a unified narrative, not a collection of individual pieces of work.3. However each chapter should make sense by itself, organised in a way that the reader can easily follow the line of argument.4. The parts of the chapter should clearly relate to each other, conveying a sense of order and form.5. Ensure that each chapter is correctly framed with a clear introduction that opens chapter suggesting what is to come, and a clear conclusion that draws the chapter to a close.

1.3.Making organisation of the

dissertation clear to the reader

A clear organization of the dissertation is important in order to communicate with your reader what you have done.You have an obligation to make your plan clear, to provide the reader with a verbal roadmap so that the journey is made without detours.

The broad structure is: 1. Statement of the problem2. Review of the literature3. The methodology of the study4. The results of the study5. The summary and discussion

1.3.Making organisation of the

dissertation clear to the reader

1.3.1. Statement of the problem

1.1 general background of the study

1.2. Problem statement

1.3 professional significance of the problem

1.4 overview of the methodology

1.5 Delimitations of the study

1.6 definitions of key terms

1.7 organisation of the dissertation

1.3.2. Review of the literature

2.1 an overview of how the chapter is organised

2.2 review of the theoretical and empirical literature organised according to one of certain patterns

2.3 a summary of what the previous research seems to mean and how it relates to the study

1.3.3. The methodology of the

study

3.1 a description of the general methodology

3.2 the research context

3.3 the subjects and participants

3.4 instruments and materials used in

collection

3.5 the procedures followed in collection of

data

3.6 the data analysis procedure

3.7 a summary statement of the methodology

1.3.4. The results of the study

4.1 an overview of the chapter

4.2 presentation of the results

organised in terms of the problem

statement was posed in the first

chapter

4.3 summary in general terms of the

results obtained

1.3.5. The summary and

discussion

5.1 a summary of the results

organised in terms of how the

problem statement was posed

5.2 a discussion of the findings

5.3 conclusion and future

research

1.6 General Comments• Throughout your writing you need to ensure you have

linking statements that connect the various chapters

within each other, and links the chapters in meaningful

manner.

• You open each chapter by linking it with the previous

chapter and by indicating what will come.

• Use headings and subheadings as major divisions of

the chapter.

• Make use of transition paragraphs or sentences to link

the major sections of the paper. The first sentence

looks back at the previous section or division, the

second sentence looks ahead.

• For example: "in addition to this examination of the

types of questions used previously, researchers have

also studied the frequency of asking....".

1.6 General Comments• Use your paragraphing effectively as an aid to organising the sections

that you are writing. Paragraphs tend to be longer and you end a

paragraph when you have fully developed an idea. You begin a new

one when you're ready to move to a new idea. dissertations tend to

have longer paragraphs, suggesting seriousness, formality and depth.

A rule of thumb is 100 word minimum per paragraph. Shorter

paragraphs will seem superficial

• Make use of topic sentences to aid organisation which clearly state

the main idea of the paragraph. Topic sentences usually come first or

early in the paragraph and tie the rest of the paragraph together.

• Within paragraphs make appropriate use of transition devices in your

writing; which is an expression or verbal strategy helps the reader

make connections. Example using counting: firstly, secondly, next and

finally.

• In other words you need to make each paragraph have an appropriate

PEE WH: ….P: POINT E: EVIDENCE E: EXPLANATION

• W: What/why/How H: HOWEVER.. criticism and counter criticism.

1.6.Over all packaging of the

dissertation

There is a standard order in the presentation of a dissertation that is generally expected. this order can be adjusted to meet the appropriate structuring of your topic.· Title page· Abstract· Acknowledgements page· Contents page· List of tables and figures· The chapters presented in the order that is clearest. · References/bibliography· Appendices

2. WRITING THE

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER

The introductory chapter orientates the reader to the

overall structure focus and goal of the dissertation.

This makes it an important chapter to write, with clear

structure, focus and overview.

2.Writing the introductory

chapterThe following general pattern that seems to work for most dissertations:1. Introduction to the chapter: This can be brief, as short as one paragraph, or as long as is needed without boring the reader. This orientates the reader to the overall study2. Background of the study: this provides a context of your study. This places study against a background in order to make sense of why it is being done.3. The problem statement: this a very brief section in which you state the problem as clearly as possible. It is crucial the way you state the problem as this will directly influence the way you present and summarise the results.

• 4. The professional significance of the study:

your purpose here is simple: answer the

question "why did you bother to conduct the

study?". You need to be specific about the need

for the significance of this study.

• 5. A brief overview of the methodology: this is a

general statement of the methodology used, and

not a discussion of the methodology itself.

• 6. The delimitations of the study: describe the

boundaries of the study, and the ways in which

the findings may lack generalisability.

• 7. Definition of key terms.do not feel obligated to

define terms unless there are special terms

being used in the study that need clarification.

2.Writing the introductory

chapter

• The introductory chapter is not quite a

summary of the dissertation that reflects

the beginning point of the journey

highlighting some of the key elements the

reader will encounter in your dissertation.

• You should conclude the introduction

with the paragraph that looks ahead to the

rest of the dissertation, indicating to

readers what they may expect.

3. WRITING THE REVIEW OF

THE LITERATURE

1. 4 patterns used in structuring

the literature review

2. Analyse the major

components and sort into

divisions and subdivisions

3. Writing the review

4. Checklist

3.1. The 4 patterns used in

structuring the literature review• The first step in outlining

involves identifying the major components of your literature review.

• Some reviews include an explanation of search processes that were used in assembling the review

• Some reviews include a discussion of the theoretical literature

• Pattern 1:

• The search process

• The theoretical literature

• The empirical research

• Pattern 2:

• The search process


• Pattern 3

• The theoretical literature


• Pattern 4


3.2.Analyse the major


divisions and subdivisionsOnce you have decided on an overall approach that is

suitable for your dissertation you now need to

determine the divisions and subdivisions.

You do this by reflecting on the question: "what the big

pieces of this component?"

This will have been made easier in the way have

structured your files and preliminary readings you

have done as these should have made logical

structuring.

You may want to divide complex divisions into

subdivisions that or important part of the discussion

processes and critical to the review of the literature.

3.2.Analyse the major


divisions and subdivisions• Make use of a clear numbering system in order to clarify

divisions and subdivisions. Make sure you use the word styles function when setting up these divisions and subdivisions so that they appear in your contents table.E.g. 1 title. 1.1 heading. 1.2 heading. 1.2.1 subheading

• By structuring your literature review using divisions and subdivisions you should have an overview of the various topics that need to go in each section and subsections.

• Four levels of headings should be sufficient for clarity without getting to complex.

• The title of the chapter is considered level I; the main divisions of the chapter level II; subdivisions level III; and sub subdivisions level IV.

Numbering systems

3.3. Writing the reviewUsing the different sections and subsections that you have

identified in your overall structure you now need to write the

details involved.

A brief introductory paragraph at the beginning of the chapter

provides an overview of the chapter elements.

In writing each section of the review the following pattern is used

to structure the section:

1. Provide an overview:

2. Generalise:

3. Specify:

Conclude the chapter with a summary that reviews the content of

the chapter and brings together the conclusions of all the

empirical research.

When you have finished writing the chapter put it aside for awhile.

Then revise it using aids such as spellcheck, grammar checker

and style checkers.

1. Provide an overview:

• Provide a brief overview of the section

which helps the reader understand how

the section is organised and what its

main divisions are.

• It is a brief introduction to the section

2. Generalise:

• write the main developmental paragraphs of that section. You should begin the developmental paragraphs with one or two sentences that generalise what the studies show.

• You have an obligation to the reader to make coherent sense of the literature rather than simply describing.

• It is more than simply naming the conclusions of the study but rather bringing these together into a meaningful analysis.

3. Specify:• with a generalisation made, you then provide the

specific evidence, citing and discussing each study

relating to that generalisation.

• How much space you devote to each study depends

upon its importance.

• The more important to study and central to your

dissertation the greater the discussion required.

• This important studies may be simply noted and

discussed more briefly in a paragraph or two.

• The length of treatment corresponds to importance.

3.4.ChecklistWhen you revise your chapter you need to answer the following in

relation to the review.

Is the review...

1. Comprehensive, including all major works relating to your topic?

2. In-depth, providing the reader depth of knowledge about the prior

research?

3. Current, including works published recently?

4. Selective, discriminating between major and this important

studies?

5. Unbiased, without the writer skewing the prior research to suit his

or her point of view?

6. Clearly organised, so that the reader can easily follow the plan and

flow of the chapter?

7. Coherent, making sense of the studies, not simply describing

them?

8. Effectively written in an academic style?

If you are unable to tick off each of these questions you need to

consider rewriting the literature review.

4. EXPLAINING THE

METHODOLOGY

1. Outline the chapter

and use headings

appropriately

2. Overview of

methodology

headings

3. Explaining how data is

to be analysed


• Most students tend to skimp in their writing of the

methodology which is a serious shortfall in the

dissertation.

• The methodology provides the reader a clear

understanding of your research design and methods

used.

• They should be written in a manner that allows

reader to be able to follow the steps taken in

gathering the data if the research was to be repeated

• Objectivity is especially important in this chapter.

Avoid making unsupported statements and

sweeping generalisations. Provide specific data and

descriptions.


• Most descriptions of the methodology chapter cover the following content:

• 1.The general research perspective and research type

• 2. The research context, including specifics of time and place as needed

• 3. The researcher participants

• 4. The method and instruments used in data collection

• 5. The way the data will be analysed

4.1. Outline the chapter and use

headings appropriately

When you have decided on the content you should then determine

the overall organisational pattern of the chapter

There are 4 patterns used in dissertations:

1. Logical order: most chapters use a logical order, organising the

content in terms of the relationships of the concepts. You reflect

on the processes you used and determine how best to group them

2. Chronological order: some researchers using a qualitative or

action research approach prefer to follow chronological order,

discussing the steps in the order in which there were taken. This

pattern is especially useful when the sequence of steps is

important to the result

3. Research – question order: explain the methodology in relation

to the research questions answered.

4. Research – methods order: organise chapter in relation to the

research methods used

4.1. Outline the chapter and use

headings appropriately

• Common elements: regardless of the

organisational pattern used to initial

elements common to most

dissertations

• 1. The general perspective

• 2. The research context

• You need to discuss both of these as

part of your structuring

4.2.Overview of methodology

headings

• Structure your chapter that makes meaningful sense using the previously described organisational ideas.

• The following is the most common way of structuring the methodology chapter:

• The research methodology is normally chapter 3 so its layout would look something like this:

3. Methodology: Brief overview of the chapter

3.1. The general perspective: Discuss the general

overview in a little more detail

3.2. The research context: Describe the context in

which the study took place

3.3. The research participants: Define the research

participants and recruitment thereof

3.4. Instruments used in the data collection: What

instruments questionnaires and recording devices et

cetera were used for data collection

3.5. Procedures used.: What procedures were used in

the process of data collection

3.6. Data analysis: What strategies will you use to

analyse the data

3.7. Summary of the methodology: Summarise the

methodology as a whole.

4.3. Explaining how data is to be

analysedAll studies result in a mass of raw data. Thus a key component of

the methodology is explaining to the reader how you will handle

this data.

Data analysis usually includes three procedures:

1. You explain how you reduced the data to meaningful

information. When you reduce the data, to group the raw data in

order to make initial sense of them.

For example, In analysing interview data, these steps were taken

in reducing the data:

1. Transcribing interviews.

2. Reading the transcripts to identify categories of responses.

3. Testing the tentative categories by classifying responses in the

first hour of the interviews

4. Using final categories to code all responses

5. Tallying coded responses

4.3. Explaining how data is to be

analysed

• 2. Explain how you decided to report and displayed the raw data. You have several methods of reporting raw data: percentages, mean, medium, standardise scores. You have several methods for displaying data: narrative text, matrixes, tables, graphs, and any other figures that are relevant

• 3. Explain how you will analyse this data to determine what they mean: in quantitative studies you report to statistical tests and procedures to be used: t-test, chi squared etc. In qualitative studies you explain how interpret the data: thematic analysis, IPA, grounded theory, constant comparison method.

5. MASTERING THE

ACADEMIC STYLE

1. The writing process

2. Write with an efficient process


http://writeitright.uelconnect.org.uk/pages/redrafting_and_finishing/116/checking_your_academic_style.html

http://writeitright.uelconnect.org.uk/pages/redrafting_and_finishing/116/checking_your_academic_style.html


• The most common error in

dissertations that result in low marks

and failures is poor academic style. In

writing your dissertation you need to

meet the minimum academic standards

required at level VI.

• Whilst this may be obvious it is

important to state the following are the

common errors encountered in

dissertations and writing style:

common errors• 1. Grammar errors

• 2. Spelling errors

• 3. Punctuation errors

• 4. Poor sentence construction

• 5. Poor paragraph construction

• 6. Inadequate,and incorrectly formatted citations

• 7. Incorrectly formatted bibliography.

• 8. Citations not appearing in the bibliography

• There appear to be 2 errors in writing:

• 1. out of a fear of plagiarism students are over-paraphrasing the

literature to the point that it becomes meaningless. You cannot

paraphrase key concepts words or ideas. Use the authors words and

ensure you use correct citations.

• 2. In an attempt to appear academic, attempts at complex writing is

made that does not make sense or add up. Do not be complex for

complex sake. Present ideas clearly in the first place and only later

add any other element to that idea.

5.1. The writing process

Developing an effective approach to writing is an

important component of a successful dissertation.

The standard process model of writing a dissertation is

the following: plan; write draft; edit; proof read.

Ensure you fully understand and use all the computer-

based technology to assist you in the writing of the

dissertation. If you have make use of Zotero, or Docear,

and the minimum you do need to make use of areas the

referencing function in word, and the styles function in

word.

Develop a writing schedule that will help you write

systematically and effectively. If you have planned a

program and deadlines you will be on track to

complete your dissertation well before the hand in

date.

5.1. The writing process

• You need to schedule longer blocks of uninterrupted time in order to write a section successfully.

• Most people need at least a three hour block of time to get some good writing done.

• This follows a process of a slow warmup period in which you struggle to get going, you then hit your stride and find the flow of the topic, and any interruption at this point you lose the momentum.

• Your writing time should be free of distractions and interruptions.

5.1. Using an Editor• To assist you in your writing please ensure you have

somebody who can proof read and help edit your

dissertation.

• Editors function is to read carefully your good drafts and

make suggestions or improvements in organisation and

style.

• This is not the task of your supervisor!

• The editor does not write for you, this is dishonest and

and ethical.

• The editor's task is to suggest how the chapter might be

reorganised what paragraphs need for the development

and indicate how some sentences can be rewritten.

• The editor helps with the proof reading of your

assignment to identify the errors that you cannot see.

• You know what you mean in your writing, but is this what

you have written?

5.2.Write with an efficient

processYou have to experiment to find the process that works best

for you.

You should find the following process useful:

1. Begin by systematising your knowledge: read and reflect

and think about what you have read, gathered and analysed

in your results. Called to mind what you know and start to

think about a systematic way of ordering that knowledge.

2. Plan your chapter: structure your chapter according to

the previous discussions so they make logical sense

3. Reduce your plan to a written topical outline: have

somebody review your overall chapter outline before you

begin writing it as you are to close your material to be a

reliable judge of the structure sometimes.giving somebody

a bullet point form of your chapter or help them see whether

it is logical or not


process• 4. Begin to write: follow your outline in your writing

and ensure you state within the broad structure.

• If you encounter writers block, the best way is to

just continue writing whatever comes into your head

in relation to the topic even if it seems bad.

• Too many students attempt to write the final

dissertation in a single sitting or as a single draft.

• You need to write your dissertation at least three

times. If you get completely stuck Skip section and

go on to the next idea.

• Come back to the missed section and review what is

causing the blockage: lack of understanding, lack of

information, confusion over topic, or simple

tiredness.


process

Revise as you write. Write a paragraph. Stop and read what was just written. Revise a paragraph. Write the next paragraph And stop the cycle all over again.

Or find a style that works for you... Some do a quick draft without devising anything and then polish the entire draft....

Whenever you have finished a draft put it aside for a few hours and reread it with a fresh eye.

5.3. Mastering the academic

styleThe key element of writing the dissertation is that you are learning

to write like a scholar. This formal posh style of academic writing

is essential to successful dissertation

There are a number of elements that need attention in order to

meet the standard overall. The following is a short summary of

some of the key elements:

1.Third person persona: write in the third person throughout your

dissertation; an attempt is draft clarity, project maturity and a

sense of formality throughout your writing with an appropriate

balance between confidence in your findings yet sufficiently

tentative.

2. Document assertions: the right to provide evidence for

statements that might be reasonably challenged. Good

paraphrasing and the use of citations is vital throughout your

dissertation


style• 3. Vary the way you identify sources: there are

several ways to cite sources. Do not just rely on having a single citation at the end of a paragraph. This is not sufficient. Vary the way you cite your resources to avoid excessive repetition. For example: according to Walker (1998), ....or Walker (1998) concluded that...

• 4. Use appropriate paragraphing: each paragraph should be about one main idea. Paragraphs tend to move from general to specific. Is.the paragraph with a general statement and then provide the specifics to develop and support the general statement.


style• 5. Write complex sentences by combining shorter sentences

to form more complex ideas. However do not make excessive use of and to convey various ideas. This involves better sentence construction

• 6. Word choice and form: be careful in your use of jargon keeping it to a minimum and avoid terms that are outdated or used to often. avoid colloquial expressions that are vague and in accurate example a lot of; check up on..;avoidthe sexist use of the masculine pronoun e.g. "man is a wise figure in..." when the appropriate term may be his/her or they..;

• 7. Use tables to present complex data and in the text itself refer to the table commenting on the highlights without repeating what is included in the table.

Education

Lecture 10 guidence on writing your dissertation