MS3307New Media Dissertation

Part Two: Introduction to module aims, objectives and assessments

About this afternoon

• MS3308 AVA 1.28• Workshop on cw1 – 1-2.30pm• Visit UX lab 3pm

• Next week’s MS3307 looking at examples of MS3307/08 student work

• Next week’s MS3308 session given over to prep for pitch on Oct 17th.

17th Oct 5min PitchMS3307/3308 Thesis/Project: Presentation notes for October 17th

3pm start in AVA 1.28

Before progressing with the New Media Thesis/Project, you are required to do a 5 minute presentation.

It must provide evidence of acting on feedback on the MS2306 proposal submitted last year.

1. What is the problem you are going to solve?2. Research title/question: Must include testable variables (IV & DV)3. Research context: Refer to the concepts you intend to deploy so as to better

understand the new media “experience” (interactive, multimedia, ubicomp etc) you are planning to research and literature you intend to use to support your ideas.

4. Method: Refer to methodological tools you intend to use. For example, interviews, focus groups and ethnography (MS3307), and prototyping, card sorts, walkthroughs etc (MS3308). How does the method work…

Focus on Assessment

• Assessment One – Deadline: 06th Jan 14

• Thesis/Project Planning, 20% overall, 2,000- words (500 less that MS3000)

• There are four components to this individual assessment

Assessment One

A summary of the thesis/project (20%)

B annotated bibliography (30%)

C rationale of chosen methodology (30%)

D a brief reflection on supervision (20%)

(A) A summary of the thesis/project (approx 20%)

Students will produce a concise description (500 words) of their thesis/project.

Marks will be awarded for:

• A well-written, concise and effectively structured summary of the student’s thesis/project

• Inclusion of aims and objectives of the research project

• Evidence of an understanding of the context in which the research project can be located in the new media field of study

• Evidence of a clear grasp of the relation between the chosen theoretical work and the project’s practical outcomes

• Creative and imaginative approach

(A) A summary of the thesis/project (approx 20%)

Students will produce a concise description (500 words) of their thesis/project.

• Academic conventions

• Correct grammar

• Thorough proofreading and spell checking

• Good visual presentation, including double line-spacing and appropriate use of fonts and typefaces

• Full references with all sources listed in a bibliography, with systematic use of Harvard referencing conventions.

(B) Annotated bibliography (approx 30%)

7-10 articles – (1,000 words)

Students will select between 7 - 10 refereed academic journal articles or book chapters (or other credible sources discussed and agreed with supervisors)

Each source will relate to specified area of research

(B) Annotated bibliography (approx 30%)

Marks will be awarded for

• Selection of appropriate sources

• A well-written, concise and original summary of each source and assessment of its value and relevance

• Effective summarization of the argumentation of each source

• Creative/imaginative approach

• Academic conventions

(C) Methodology (approx 30%) (500 words)

Students will submit documentation to support their methodological work

This will include.

• A brief and well-written rationale/justification of chosen methodology including references to methodological frame of reference and appropriate literature

(C) Methodology (approx 30%) (500 words)

Students will submit documentation to support their methodological work

This will include.

• Relevant supporting plans, preliminary tests, questionnaires in appendices

• A timeline of related events in semester B

• Creative/imaginative approach• Academic conventions

(D) A brief reflection on Supervision (20%)

(500 words)• You will write a short piece

describing the aims and objectives discussed and set out in at least three supervision meetings

• A clearly defined and well-written description of their use of supervision meetings

• Perhaps in diary format

(D) A brief reflection on individual or group role (20%)

(500 words)• Evidence of accountability

• Evidence of tasks already completed in semester A and timeline of events for semester B – including brief evaluation of potential problems/challenges

Assessment Two• Thesis 80% overall (8000

words)

• Thesis Deadlines • Draft chapters (informally

to supervisors) TBC• Final thesis deadline

Deadline 8th May 14

• Student Show & Mixed Media Presentation Fri 15-16th May

(A) The Thesis (80%) 8,000

Marks will be awarded for• Adherence to the following structure

1. Introduction2. Literature review (a minimum 5 articles taken from the

annotated bibliography submitted in cw1)3. Methodology4. Data analysis 5. Interpretation of data6. Conclusion

Thesis marks• Clearly stated research

objectives, the problems you are discussing and the argumentation of your thesis

• Identification of pertinent material to review using various information searches (libraries and Internet)

• A review of literature related directly to the thesis

• A review that formulates questions that need further research

Thesis marks• A clearly identified focus

and well identified thesis for your essay

• Consideration of a variety of relevant theoretical perspectives

• Critical appraisal and the application of principles of analysis

• Identification of relevant themes, trends, theories and current debate and controversy in the literature

• A synthesis of ideas encountered

Thesis marks• Reference to appropriate

theoretical concepts drawn from the degree

• Critical engagement with these theoretical concepts

• Good use of concrete, illustrative examples from your experience

• Good reflection on and critical analysis of all aspects of the assignment

• Reference to appropriate literature

• Creative and independent analysis

Thesis marks• Conventions

– Thorough proofreading and spell checking– Good use of paragraphs– Good visual presentation, including double line-spacing (or 1.5) and

appropriate use of fonts and typefaces– Full references with all sources listed in a bibliography, with

systematic use of Harvard referencing conventions.– The inclusion of word count– Correct grammar

MS3307/08 Thesis Talk and Mixed Media Presentation

Thesis Talk and Mixed Media Presentation

Specific marks will be awarded for the Following

Thesis Talk and Mixed Media Presentation

• All projects must have an associated URL which appropriately presents the work in web browser format. The project must have a “web presence.”

• A Blog!

• Website/Blog to trace the research as it progresses

• Evidence of prototyping/testing relating to thesis question and method.

The thesis talk (15mins)

Next week

• Examples of planning, thesis and projects

• Email Jeff for invite to last year’s presentations on YouTube

– Questions?