Planning Your Dissertation (2nd Edition)

Description

This essential guide takes students through the planning for each stage of their dissertation, from hatching an idea to handing in their finished project. Short, succinct chapters cover everything from devising a research question and engaging with the literature to choosing a methodology and structuring an argument. It features ten sample dissertations from a range of subject areas, so that students can better anticipate what lies ahead, practical advice at every step and action plans to keep students on track.

This book is the ideal companion to all students completing a dissertation as part of their undergraduate or postgraduate studies, whatever their subject area.

Key Features

• Includes activities and checklists designed to help students formulate ideas, set objectives and track their progress
• Provides guidance on how students can establish a strong working relationship with their supervisor
• Contains examples of real students’ work across a range of disciplines
• Shows students exactly what examiners and supervisors are looking for in their work

New to this Edition

• Expanded content on using theory and writing abstracts
• Includes more examples from students’ dissertations, including an outline for a performing arts dissertation

Table of Contents

1. Acknowledgements
2. Introduction
3. Part I: Getting Started
   1. Getting Strategic
   2. Exploring Ideas
   3. Working With Your Supervisor
4. Part II: Planning Your Research
   1. Starting Your Reading
   2. Focussing Your Research Question
   3. Time Planning a Longer Project
   4. Your Research Plan
   5. The Supervisor’s Perspective
5. Part III: Planning Your Literature Review
   1. Think: What Are You Looking For?
   2. Finding It
   3. Reading It
   4. Making Sense of It
   5. Planning It
6. Part IV:  Thinking About Methodology
   1. Aim and Objectives
   2. Make Sure Your Methods Match Your Aims!
   3. Using Theory
   4. The ‘Systematic’ Approach: Literature Review as Methodology
7. Part V: What’s in a Dissertation?
   1. Science / Technology / Healthcare
   2. Dissertation 1: Biomedical Science
   3. Dissertation 2: Sport Science
   4. Health and Social Care / Social Science / Business / Education
   5. Dissertation 3: Healthcare
   6. Dissertation 4: Business
   7. Dissertation 5: Business (Hospitality)
   8. Dissertation 6: Education
   9. Dissertation 7: Development Studies
   10. Dissertation 8: Business
   11. Humanities/Arts
   12. Dissertation 9: History
8. Part VI: Writing And Argument
   1. Writing Paragraphs
   2. The Language of Argument
   3. Writing Style: Using ‘I’
9. Part VII: Planning Your Endgame
   1. Be Clear About What You Are Aiming For
   2. The Conclusion and Introduction
   3. First Impressions and Last Thoughts
   4. Journey’s End?
10. References
11. Index.

Author Description

Kate Williams set up and works for the Upgrade Study Advice Service at Oxford Brookes University, UK.