What is Required?

The thought of producing a dissertation instils anxiety in most students, so don’t worry if you feel like this at the moment! One of the concerns frequently expressed at this stage is of being able to write as many as the number of words required for a dissertation on one particular topic. By the end, students often wish they could write more! Once you get underway you will find the actual process of conducting research and writing it up need not be problematic and, indeed, can be thoroughly enjoyable.

Before you make a start you need to have a clear idea of exactly what is going to be involved, and these guidelines are provided to help with that. They assume that many students will wish to follow a fairly traditional pattern of research and presentation. However, they do not preclude alternative approaches and they also assume that you will remain in close contact with your supervisor so that s/he can help you to explore new ideas and innovative methods of working and writing that may present themselves during the course of your work.

You are specifically cautioned against two types of dissertation. The first is of the ‘Everything everyone has ever written and all I know about X’ type. This is likely to result in a wordy, descriptive and over-generalised piece of work.

Another type to avoid is a study which simply describes (without reflection, evaluation and critical analysis) the introduction of a new initiative in your own institution or organisation.

You should aim, in your dissertation, to identify a sharply focused issue, where there is some literature available, and which lends itself to empirical investigation and/or critical analysis. You should aim to demonstrate the following abilities:

1. Literature

to select relevant and significant literature from a range of sources;
to précis the literature and critically analyse and present a range of views;
to use an appropriate system to reference fully, accurately and consistently.

2. Methods and Methodology

(This is about the approach taken to your research, within which you will probably wish to select and make use of different methods or techniques. Discussion of terminology can be found in several of the recommended texts, and will also be included in the preparation for the dissertation that is provided during the programme.)

to describe the conceptual framework of your dissertation and demonstrate your awareness that there is more than one way of examining, interpreting and representing the world;
to select and justify an appropriate methodology for your investigation;
to give reasons for the methods you have chosen, and defend them;
to engage with the chosen methods effectively;
to understand associated ethical issues and to devise and work within an appropriate ethical framework and show how your work has been ethically reviewed;
to reflect, with hindsight, on the advantages and disadvantages in practice of your chosen methods and methodological approach.

3. Findings

to relate empirical findings to existing literature and theoretical concepts;
to avoid making sweeping statements and claims using little or no evidence;
to understand and discuss the organisational and other constraints which may modify the more obvious surface interpretation of findings;
to understand and discuss the significance and acceptability of your findings within a wider social context.

4. Reflective Skills

to undertake critical reflection on your own learning, understanding, value systems and skills as you engage with the research process, and to consider their implications for the conduct and conclusions of your research.

5. Presentational Skills

to spell correctly and use grammar and punctuation appropriately;
(where used) to present numerical data accurately;
to make an appropriate choice of layout, including headings and subheadings, and sequencing of material;
to use references accurately in the text and supply a complete list of references.

REMEMBER

The purpose of a dissertation is to provide you with an opportunity to merge your own interests with concepts and methods gleaned from the programme in order to produce a scholarly report.