CONTEXTUAL STUDIES:

DISSERTATION In introduction

WEIGHTED

Presentation 30%

(5 to 10 minutes presentation)

Dissertation 70%

6000 word dissertation

(word count )

PRESENTATION

Early in the first term.

To outline and define your research strategy

To indicate what support may be needed

To indicate the appropriate dissertation supervisor

This is a formative assessment point.

Failure?

THEORY

Asking why !

STARTING

Good foundation

Difficulties without solid foundation

Proposal

Aim

Objectives

Methodology

Lit review

PROPOSAL

The purpose of the proposal is to formulate your ideas for a dissertation and to enable you to visualise a more detailed description of your outcomes.

Proposed structure

1 - TITLE

This could be a title or a research question

Research question prompts your area of research

Research question prompts a theoretical argument

A clear indication of the content of the dissertation.

2 - AIM

An overall statement of the nature of the original research (what you intend to do).

(The point of the work )

3 - OBJECTIVES

The specific questions you intend to answer. You may find it impossible to identify all the questions until you have done more extensive research. But offer some examples as evidence that some research has been made for the proposal. What you want to achieve and why.

Mini missions or question to answer

Achieving these missions or answering your questions means that your conclusion will achieve your AIM.

4 - LITERATURE REVIEW PLANWhat literature are you going to use.

Not to be confused with a literature review.

Literature review - what the world says about your subject/argument (specific)

Literature review plan – what the work says about your area of research (non specific)

5 -METHODOLOGY

How are you going to achieve you objectives? Outline your method of data collection, analysis, target group etc. and include some critical evaluation of why you have chosen this method

Why use secondary research over surveys?

Bell, J (1998) Doing your research project: a guide for first- time researchers in education and social science. Open University Press.

6 - BIBLIOGRAPHY

This is a bibliography and references that you have used in the making of the proposal.

NOT what literature you will use in the final dissertation.

DISSERTATION HANDBOOK

Useful tips.

ATTENDANCE

Limited number of contact time

Take full advantage of:-

Lectures

Seminars

Group tutorials

Individual one to one with your dissertation supervisor.

DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR

Contact time

Come prepared

Talk things through

Draft – very important

Not here to do the research for you

PLAGIARISM

Reference people who help you

Reference proof reader or translator

Do not self –plagiarise

SCHEME OF WORK

1. title

2. lectures

3. presentation

4. group tutorials

5. draft

6. one to one

EXTRA SUPPORT

Academic support – available over the summer

Disability support

Language support

EXTRAS

Proof reading

Research expenses

Binding (if you want a copy)

QUESTIONS

TASK

Work in groups

Look at your title

Major project?