Completing a research project

 

Ronan FitzpatrickDepartment of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science,

Dublin Institute of Technology, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.

Email: rfitzpatrick@maths.kst.dit.ie

Diploma in Applied Sciences - WSAD 4DIT Kevin Street, Dublin

January 2001

The process

Research • Broad research

• Analysis and critique

Report • Dissertation and chapter structure

• Professionally reported

• Authoritative writing and reporting style

Present • Project presentation

Broad research

• Primary or secondary

• Methods– Literature search, Interview, Questionnaire,

Career experience, Observation.

• SourcesLibraries, CD-ROM, inter-library loan, Internet

– Academic journals, Conference papers, White papers, International standards, Legislation, EU Directives, Textbooks, Technical press.

Analysis and critique• Identify the core issues

– Organisational, Technological, Human Resources, Financial, Legal

– Discard non-core research

• Use W6H for explaining– What, who, when, where, why, how and which

– Always establish what first and then include the remainder if appropriate

• Critique

– Identify fors/againsts, advantages/disadvantages, problems/challenges and if appropriate critique them negatively and positively.

Dissertation and chapter structure

• Dissertation (Manual) structure• Abstract, Acknowledgements, List of Figures• Chapter 1- Introduction (This is page 1)• Internal chapters• Last chapter – Conclusion• Glossary of Terms• Bibliography

• Chapter structure• Overview paragraph• Introductory section• Chapter sections• Chapter conclusion.

Chapter 5 TitleOverview paragraph5.1 Introduction5.2 Title5.3 Title5.X Conclusion

Abstract

• This is an overview of the dissertation, which is intended to convince others that the content is significant. Weave the keywords of your text into a summary of about 200 words.

First thing to be read, last thing to be written.

Chapter 1- Introduction

• The Aim of the project• Why you are doing this project• Who you are writing it for – your readers• How you did your research• The structure of the remainder of the

dissertation.– Chapter 2 does whatever– Chapter 3 does …

Chapter structure• Overview paragraph

– Aim of chapter, why you are writing it, who you are writing it for, and any research specific to this chapter.

– Indicate how the chapter is structured, i.e., Section 5.1 introduces … Section 5.2 explains and so on.

• Introduction• Section titles (and sub-sections)

• Conclusion– Summarise what you have written AND note any

conclusions that you can draw from your research.

– If appropriate, explain what’s next.

Professionally reported• References – Without references your project is not

research. It is probably closer to journalism or simply your own opinion. Cite references in the text as (Bloggs, 1997) and in the Bibliography give the full reference i.e., Surname, Initial, (year in brackets) Title, Publisher, City, Country, Vol(Issue), Page Nos

• Language – Write using best English vocabulary, grammar, syntax and semantics in properly structured paragraphs. Avoid slang and colloquialisms. Remember to write text at a level appropriate to your readers.

Professionally reported

• Style - Use a consistent style for page headers, footers, headings at level 1, level 2 and level 3, bulleted and numbered lists.

• Illustrations – Figures and Tables are essential aids for your readers so, us a consistent format for presenting them– Border, reference number, caption, different font, bold titles

– Refer to them in the text

– Explain then to your readers.

Authoritative writing style

Do• Write in the passive voice (e.g., the research was completed)• Write gender-free text• Include examples in order to clarify topics for your readers• Be consistent with bulleted lists, numbered lists, figure and

table captions• Be consistent with the spelling of new technical words

– For example, end-user, e-Commerce, Internet

• Keep your sentences to under twenty-two words• Proof-read your work for typing errors• Re-read your work for structure, meaning and clarity.

Authoritative writing style

Don’t• Don’t use the words, etc., one or one’s, basically, essentially

• Don’t write “this chapter will attempt to…” (Write “this chapter will”)

• Don’t write “As already stated...” (Write in “Section X.Y it was explained”)

• Don’t confuse it’s with its, or there, they’re, their

• Don’t rely only on a spellchecker

• Don’t include clipart unless it is significant to your report.