Preparation for the seminar

Preparation for the seminar

Read Sauders, Lewis and Thornhill (2016) Chapter 14.3. (Structuring your project report)

Read any one of the three sample dissertations on  (located under seminar 1 in ‘seminars’). Consider how the following elements of a research article have been reflected in the sample dissertations.

1. Introduction
2. Literature review
3. Methodology
4. Findings
5. Discussions
6. Conclusions

In the seminar

The tutor will briefly introduce the structure of a research article and some key issues about writing. This will be followed by a group discussion of the structure and writing of the three sample dissertations.

Appendix Dissertation structure and marking guidelines

Dissertation structure

While there is room for flexibility in the format of the dissertation, the following example of a dissertation structure may be of guidance in organising the written work.

Title

Abstract

Introduction

Aims and objectives

Literature review

Research methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusions/Recommendations

References

Appendices (if required)

Dissertation – marking guidelines

Assessment is based on the academic merit of the dissertation in terms of its breadth of background reading, research design, analysis of data, conclusions and also the quality of presentation. The dissertation will therefore be assessed in relation to the following criteria:

• The presence of clear and sound objectives
• Evidence of critical evaluation of the work of relevant authors, including recent research where appropriate.
• Evidence of the use of an appropriate analytical framework, either theoretical or empirical.
• The degree to which the student demonstrates understanding of, and uses, appropriate methods in the research design
• The degree of competence in data collection and analysis
• Appropriate conclusions / recommendations based on the arguments and results reported.
• Logical structure and argument.
• Relevance and depth.
• The quality of text and presentation, which includes the following:
• clarity of expression
• proper integration of all references, diagrams, tables, etc
• well presented diagrams and statistics as appropriate
• correct pagination for cross-references
• checking for grammatical and spelling mistakes
• proof reading for typing errors
• quality accuracy and relevance of referencing including complete reference citations

•       appropriate layout of