[Open Up Study Skills 01] • Succeeding With Your Master’s Dissertation by Biggam, John -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Title Page Copyright Page Praise Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgements 1 Introduction

A Master’s dissertation: what is it? So, what skills do you need to succeed? Developing your i-skills

Determining your information needs Organising skills Literature search skills Speed reading Critiquing skills Communication skills

Using social media in research Watch your words! How to use this book Further reading Summary of key points

2 Referencing and Plagiarism

What is referencing? In-text referencing Using Latin abbreviations and terms Creating a reference list

Book E-book Conference paper Government publication Journal paper Newspaper article Theses and dissertations Website

Plagiarism Further reading Summary of key points

3 Preparing for Your Dissertation

Putting together your research proposal

Research proposal: working title Research proposal: background information Research proposal: overall research aim Research proposal: specific research objectives Research proposal: research methods Research proposal: setting a timescale Research proposal: ethics

Producing a dissertation template Supervision: roles, responsibilities, and meetings

Roles and responsibilities Meetings

An emotional journey Further reading Summary of key points

4 The Dissertation Introduction

The general structure of the Introduction Background Research focus (revisited) Overall research aim and individual research objectives Outline research methods and timescales Value of your research A further suggestion Summary of key points

5 The Literature Review

What constitutes a good Literature Review? Structuring your Literature Review Description versus critical evaluation Learning theory and your dissertation Literature search techniques

Select topic Define terms Set boundaries Select sources Analyse sources Google it!

University library databases Contextual Review

Example 1: Computer Science – Software Development Example 2: Art Example 3: Theatre Studies

Further reading Summary of key points

9 Writing Up Your Findings

Writing up the findings: traditional dissertations Writing up the findings: art and performance-based dissertations Further reading Summary of key points

10 Concluding Your Dissertation

What’s in a Conclusion? Research objectives: summary of findings and conclusions Recommendations Contribution to knowledge Self-reflection Summary of key points

11 Writing The Abstract

What is an abstract? How to write an abstract

Abstract template Summary of key points

12 Finally: Viva, Dissertation Marking Scheme, and Summary of Good/Bad Practice

Preparing for a viva The dissertation marking scheme Dissertation writing: summary of good practice to adopt and bad practice to avoid

Appendix A: Harvard referencing formats (with examples) Appendix B: Typical dissertation proposal form Appendix C: Research objective keywords Appendix D: Sample dissertation proposal Appendix E: Sample Introduction Appendix F: Sample chapter outline Appendix G: Sample Literature Review introduction Appendix H: Sample Literature Review conclusion Appendix I: Comprehensive set of useful verbs Appendix J: Sample research methods chapter Appendix K: Sample questionnaire Appendix L: Sample marking sheet Appendix M: Sample completed marking sheet References Index Back cover