The AMSc project: what to expect and how to do it

Jane Reid

Aims of the project

• Allows practice of taught skills

• Integrates different elements into one large-scale piece of work

• Makes a contribution to knowledge (answers the “why?” questions)

• Does something original

– Something which has never been done before

– Something which has already been done, but not this way

• Practical reasons, e.g. a good selling point for employers

What is good research?

• Working with an open mind

• Critical analysis of material

• Identification of generalisations

AMSc project

• Approximately 5 months

• The most demanding task you will undertake!– Intellectual / research content

– Time management and planning

– Communication skills (written and oral)

• Further information from:

http://www.dcs.qmul.ac.uk:8080/courses/Projects/AMSc/

Possible types of project

• Analytical / research-based

• Developmental / implementational

• Experimental / empirical

• Formal / theoretical

And others… including a mixture of the above

Stages of the project

• Choosing a project

• Writing a proposal

• Literature review

• Doing the project!

• Writing a project report

• Presenting the project

Choosing a project

• Choose one that interests you

• If you don’t have any ideas:– Speak to lecturers of modules that have interested you

– Look on lecturers’ Web pages for ideas

– Look at past projects

– Read around interesting areas

• Decide with your potential supervisor:– Scope of the project (allow some flexibility)

– Outcomes of the project

– Relevance to degree course

Project proposal

• Expect it to change direction over time!

• Should address:– Introduction to the subject area (context)

– Current research in the area

– Identification of a “gap”

– Explanation of how your project will fill that gap

• I strongly recommend that you complete a project plan AT A VERY EARLY STAGE (well before your interim report)

Literature review [1]

• Two stages:– Literature survey

• Finding, gathering, managing and understanding relevant research

• Use books (for good grounding)

• Use journals (for up-to-date, specific treatment of current issues)

• Use conference proceedings (take care that they are refereed!)

• Use theses / dissertations etc (through inter-library loan if necessary)

• Use other resources where necessary (software, manuals, etc)

• Use the Internet, but take care - not all resources are good resources!

– Literature review itself• Presents your personal view of the field

• Provides your own assessment of previous research

Literature review [2]

• Hot tips!– Remember to record references AS YOU GO ALONG

– Write a list of keywords or a brief summary for each piece of reading you do

– Work out where your current reading fits in with previous reading

– Be critical - just because it’s published doesn’t mean it’s true, or good!!!

Doing the project!

• Meet with your supervisor each week (usually up to 1 hour per week)

• Your supervisor is:– A manager

– An academic advisor

• Prepare for your supervisory meetings and make the best use you can of the time

• Manage your time!!!

Writing a project report [1]

• Combination of top-down and evolutionary approach is best

• Order of writing:– Identify structure

– Draft introduction

– Write main body, part by part, as you go along

– Write conclusions and further work

– Rework introduction

– Add references, appendices, etc

– Finalise contents list

Writing a project report [2]

• Hot tips!– Set writing deadlines with your supervisor

– Think carefully about the best means of presenting data (text, tables, figures, graphs, etc)

– Choose one system of referencing early on, and stick to it

– Reference carefully to avoid plagiarism problems

Presenting the project [1]

• Establish:– Objectives

– Scope

– Timing

• Think about:– Content

– Visual aids, equipment, etc

– Delivery / style of presentation

– Possible questions from your examiners

Presenting the project [2]

• Do NOT:– Jump around when presenting, or stand in front of your slides!

– Talk quickly

– Read directly from a written text

• Instead:– Pick one place to stand, and stay there

– Make a deliberate effort to speak slowly and clearly

– Use post-it notes on slide copies to prompt you if necessary

Presenting the project [3]

• Demonstration– Think about:

• Timing

• Main points to get across

• Unusual / invisible features you want to demonstrate

– Be prepared to be diverted!

– PRACTISE BEFOREHAND

Assessment criteria

• Explicit– Researched knowledge and originality

– Theoretical / empirical / engineering competence

– Quality of report

– Presentation skills

• Implicit– Ability to reason and reflect

– Time management and professionalism

– Report from your supervisor