Jill Doubleday, MA Centre For Language Study, Modern Languages
Jill Doubleday, MA Centre For Language Study, Modern Languages
Faculty of Humanities
Course Overview
Dissertation Structure:
Section aims and contents How sections link together
Writing:
Reading the literature Language issues, summarising and paraphrasing
Figures, tables and diagrams: Choosing the best way to present results Labelling clearly
Dissertation Sections
Which sections does a dissertation have? What is the aim and content of each one? Approximately how many pages should each section
be?
Abstract (~ 1 page) Introduction (~ 5 pages) Background and Literature (~ 20 pages) Experimental (~ 10 pages) Results Chapters (2 or 3 ) (~ 20 pages) Discussion (~ 5 pages) Conclusions and Future Work (~5 pages) Appendices References
Work
Abstract
A summary of the project:
Aim Methods Arguments Results Conclusion
Introduction
Is a guide to the report structure Briefly summarizes the purpose and content of each
chapter State the aim of your research and your research question(s) near the beginning, possibly even in the first sentence Includes a short justification of your research, by referring to the background of your subject Links to conclusion: dont ask questions in your introduction that arent answered in your conclusion. Write final draft of introduction when your report is complete.
To show you have considered your research within the context of previous and ongoing research
Experimental / Design
Linked to the background and literature review Enough detail so that another student could read it
Discussion
Your chance to link your study to existing theory and research
Summarize your main findings. Carefully examine any results that do not support or
only partially support your hypothesis. Consider limitations of your project which may affect the validity of your results. Consider any implications of your project.
your own: put your project first. Put your work into context: show how you have added to the studies done in your area. Mention the connections with published work, but also how your work is different. Make sure you connect your conclusions to your introduction. Discuss implications for future research in this area.
Appendices
Use these to include information that the reader might
wish to look at, but which is not included in the main text.
Information in appendices might be raw results,
References/Bibliography
Ensure all papers listed have been cited in your dissertation Check which citation system is required (e.g.
ieee citation, Harvard citation)
ieee citation = number in brackets Harvard citation = name and year, both in brackets If done by numbers, then bibliography will be in numerical order If done by names and years, bibliography will be alphabetical by surname
Useful reading
Murray, R, 2006 How to Write a Thesis (second edition). Maidenhead: OUP Preece, R 1994 Starting Research. An Introduction to Academic Research and Dissertation Writing. London: Continuum Rudestam, K E & Newton, R R 1992 Surviving Your Dissertation. A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process. Newbury Park: Sage
(All in Hartley Library: PN 147)
Work
Over to you...........
Evaluate previous reports: Layout (clear headings, page numbers) Overall structure: abstract, contents, introduction, literature review, conclusion included? Abstract: does it make you interested in the report? Introduction: states the aim? justifies the report? Literature: is it evaluated? Referencing: accurate? good sources? recent? Conclusion: is it linked to the introduction?