how to write a first class disseration 19th feb 2013 aston
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How to Write a First-Class Dissertation
Vlad Mackevic
19th February 2013Aston University
www.TheLectureRoom.co.uk
Objectives
How to come up with a dissertation topic How to write a literature review How to be critical How to structure your dissertation How to research efficiently How to become a better writer
Dissertation
A piece of independent research Contributes to the body of knowledge Something NEW:
New methods with old theory New data with old methods New theory with the same dataset
What Earns You Points?
Answering the Question (!)
Structure Style and language Research and
Analysis References Formatting and
Presentation
The Topic
Dissertation
Research-Based vs. Library-Based
The Question
1. The Object of the Study2. The Context of the Study3. The Method of the Study
Keep It Simple and Narrow
The rise of the Asian Tigers (economic power in the East)
Taiwan ReasonsImpact Singapore
The rise of the Asian Tigers (economic power in the East)International relations Hong Kong
South Korea ConsequencesEconomic performance
What were the reasons for the economic miracle of South Korea in the second half of the twentieth century?
What were the reasons for the economic miracle of South Korea in the second half of the twentieth century?
• Not consequences
What were the reasons for the economic miracle of South Korea in the second half of the twentieth century?
• Not consequences • Not Taiwan, Singapore or Hong Kong
What were the reasons for the economic miracle of South Korea in the second half of the twentieth century?
• Not consequences; • Not Taiwan, Singapore or Hong Kong• Not any other time
How national cultures affect organisational cultures and the impact of this on the performance of businesses in different countries?
Object
How national cultures affect organisational cultures and the impact of this on the performance of businesses in different countries?
Context
How national cultures affect organisational cultures and the impact of this on the performance of businesses in different countries?
Method
How national cultures affect organisational cultures and the impact of this on the performance of businesses in different countries?
How national cultures affect organisational cultures and the impact of this on the performance of businesses in different countries?
• Which countries do you mean? • What companies will be used as examples?
Walter Scott and the carving of brutishness: Nationalism and regionalism within his novels.
The role of maternal diet in early childhood obesity
• Focus group = participants? Sociological profiling?
• Methods? observation, survey, etc
• Context = NOW!
Structure
Introduction (10-15%)Main Body (70-80%)Conclusion (10-15%)
Structure
1. Say what you’re going to say;2. Say it;3. Say what you’ve just said.
Set Topic vs. Free Topic
Introduction Main Body Conclusion References
Introduction Literature
Review Methodology Analysis and
Discussion Conclusion References
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract and Introduction
Summarise your research Explain what you are writing
about Guide your reader Mention the Object, the Context
and the Method
Write Your Introduction at the
End
Why?
It’s hard You don’t have all the information yet
Theory Applications of the theory Arguments of the essay Outline and structure
Write about your most recent actions
Main Body
Main arguments Evidence Reading/knowledge References
The Funnel and the Hourglass
Broad to Narrow
The Funnel Principle
Link all your arguments back to the
assignment topic!
Broad to Narrow and Back to Broad
The HourglassPrinciple
Copy from one, it’s plagiarism; copy from two, it’s research.
Wilson Mizner US screenwriter (1876 - 1933)
Research
Primary Secondary
Research
Wikipedia (ONLY for general knowledge)
Not to be included in the list of references
References on Wikipedia
Research
Textbooks and their chapters (theory)
Research articles and conference papers (application of theory in practice)
Research
Websites
Serious journalism
Email correspondence
Research Tips
Relevant – answer the question Research ethics Make notes while you’re reading Carefully note down full
references BACK IT UP!
Literature Review
Literature Review
A critical summary of main research you have found on the
subject
Why?
Done your readingKnow your topic
Aware of the weaknesses
‘Passable’ Literature Review
Main theories How they were applied Research methods used by
others Research design used by others
First-Class Literature Review
Why did you choose these theories? How did others obtain their results? Similarities/differences in study
design Predict your results An original contribution
Analysis and Discussion
What has been found? Why such results? Differences between your
research and that of the others Different methods; different
participants
Limitations
In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's there are few.
Shunryu Suzuki
Acknowledge Your Limitations
Your lecturer will like it All researchers do it No theory is perfect No dataset is perfect No research method is perfect
Conclusion
Mention the topic again Describe methods, data analysed etc. Summarise the findings How your findings correspond to the
previous research Only write about your data and your
research.
Speak confidently about your own results.
Do not make generalisations about the world based on your
limited data sample.
Referencing
Why Reference?
To avoid failing the module Because it’s fair To back up your claims Evidence of extensive reading
Referencing
Who wrote it? What is the book/article called? Who published it? Where was it published? When was it published?
The Writing Process
No Perfect First Draft
Never Leave Your Sheet Blank
Good Writers Read
Always Carry a Notebook
Linking Words
Do Not Complicate Things
Paragraph
Speak to Your Lecturers!
Graduate Employment
1930 2009
2007
Unfilled vacancies?Students lack skills that employers are
looking for
http://lifehacker.com/infographic/
Job Skills
1. Communication (Written and Spoken)2. Analytical and Research3. Teamwork4. Self-motivation5. Organisational Skills6. IT Skills7. Leadership
Communication Skills
Written Spoken
Sources: http://www.sytelco.com and www.nightingale.norfolk.sch.uk
Communication Skills
Written Spoken
Writing essays, research reports and dissertations
Email communication
Communication Skills
Written Spoken
Writing essays, research reports and dissertations
Email communication
Giving presentations
Participating in discussions in lectures and seminars
Being a good listener
Analytical and Research Skills
Academic writing is all about research and analysis:
Looking for information online and in the library
Determining which information is relevant to your assignment question
Collecting and analysing data Acknowledging its limitations
Teamwork Skills
Group assignments
Establish a study group – or join one
Group work in lectures and seminars
Participations in group discussions Source: www.destructoid.com
Self-motivation
• Most of academic work is made of independent learning tasks
• Always deliver more: take initiative to make presentations, speak in group discussions
Motivation
Organisational Skills
Academic work requires top-class organisational skills:
– Managing multiple coursework deadlines
– Planning your time to write your essays
– Planning your time in exams
– Outlining and organising your writing
IT SkillsIT skills at university:– Word Processing– Spreadsheets– PowerPoint
presentations– Internet-based research– Professional social
media (Facebook and LinkedIn)
Facebook Fails
Bank intern? Family emergency?
http://www.complex.com/tech/2012/05/25-facebook-posts-that-have-gotten-people-fired/bank-intern-busted
Teacher Fired for Drinking on Vacation
http://www.complex.com/tech/2012/05/25-facebook-posts-that-have-gotten-people-fired/paynestaking
“LBG's new CEO gets £4,000 an hour. I get £7. That's fair.”
http://www.complex.com/tech/2012/05/25-facebook-posts-that-have-gotten-people-fired/salary-leak
This Guy Worked for Apple!
http://www.complex.com/tech/2012/05/25-facebook-posts-that-have-gotten-people-fired/apple-employee
Fail!Fail!
Fail!
What about this Tweet?
Leadership
Leadership
Who is a leader?– A good communicator– A team player– A good researcher– Able to analyse situations– Motivated and ready to
motivate others– Organised, with a respect
for deadlines
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