Some general advice

Choosing your dissertation methodology

If you do not have previous experience or training in the methodology you wish to use for your project it is imperative you have selected the relevant modules as part of your course. For example, if you wish to conduct a systematic review you need to be undertaking or taking the Evidence Synthesis module. There should be no expectation that your supervisor will teach you the methodology you have chosen.  

Marking Criteria

You may find it helpful to consider the Department’s marking criteria.  

Examining the criteria for the higher marks will provide an indication of what your dissertation should contain. The descriptions for the lower marks will provide you with indicators of what to avoid. 

You can also find example dissertations by previous years’ students on the VLE and on the library site. 

Word limits

• MSc Health Research: 16,000 words maximum

• MSc Mental Health Research: 16,000 words maximum

• Master of Public Health: 16,000 words maximum

A good dissertation can be around 10,000-12,000 words so it is not necessary to write to the maximum word limit. The limits above are upper limits. Remember that anything over 10% greater than this will not be marked. Your supervisor will be able to advise you on how much is appropriate to write for the particular methodology and focus of your dissertation.

Everything in the main body of the text (i.e. Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion, Conclusion) apart from tables and figures is included in your word limit. Everything before the main text (e.g. Abstract, Acknowledgements, Contents page etc.) and after it (e.g. References, Appendices etc.) is not included.

Plagiarism

It is important that you reference your work correctly to avoid plagiarism, the major form of academic misconduct. Please consult the Academic Integrity section of your handbook for full details and the academic integrity tutorial for further details, available at the Yorkshare VLE.

Submission requirements

You are required to submit an electronic copy of your dissertation to the submission point on the VLE. Please make sure that you do not mention anyone by name in the acknowledgements section as this is considered a breach of confidentiality. It is also important that if you submit a protocol to PROSPERO that you do not give the reference number as this will also expose your name.  

Studying from a distance

For students who may need to complete all or some components of their dissertation at a distance it is important that you discuss this with your supervisors in advance to make sure it is feasible. Email, telephone and Zoom are useful resources for supervision meetings and your supervision team may be able to agree a schedule of remote supervision sessions. 

Additionally, students who are considering doing the dissertation at distance should check if there are any barriers to doing this in relation to access to data and data security. While the majority of students will not have the opportunity to conduct primary research for their dissertation, for those that do propose to use primary data, studying away from the UK might entail restrictions on availability of data and transfer of data using electronic means. Again, it is important to discuss this as early as possible with your supervisors and to ensure that you follow the departmental and university guidance on data security.

If you are a Tier 4 visa holder and you wish to complete your dissertation away from the University you should consult the University’s guidance.