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

Outline of each session last year

Session 1: Overall Structure; Literature Review; Results; Discussion & Conclusion Session 2: Getting started; Literature Review; Critical Reading; Avoiding Plagiarism Session 3: Paraphrasing; Writing - evaluating the literature & showing how it fits into your context Session 4: Academic Writing; Getting Started with Reading; Managing your Time; Staying Motivated. Session 5: Referencing; Methods; Results; Discussion; Conclusion; Linking & Flow; Final Checks.

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?

Report Structure for Research Projects

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

Report Structure for Design and Build

(Hardware or Programming)
Abstract (~ 1 page)
Introduction (~ 5 pages) Background and Literature (~ 20 pages) Design (~ 10 pages)

Testing and Evaluation (1) (~ 20 pages)

2nd Design (~ 10 pages) 2nd Testing and Evaluation (~ 20 pages) Discussion (~ 5 pages)

Conclusions and Future Work (~5 pages)

Appendices References

Overall aspects to consider

Getting started Planning your time Reading, selecting and evaluating the literature Writing in English Staying motivated!

Which 3 parts concern you most?

Abstract Introduction

Getting started Planning your time

Background and Literature

Experimental Results Discussion Conclusions and Future

Reading, selecting and

evaluating the literature Writing in English Staying motivated!

Work

Abstract
A summary of the project:
Aim Methods Arguments Results Conclusion

Why is the abstract important?

It is the gateway to your project, so should make a good first impression on the reader (your assessor). It will be read first, but probably written last.

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.

Background and Literature : aim

To inform the reader of the current state of knowledge and questions in your research area To show that you have a good understanding of your area of research

To show you have considered your research within the context of previous and ongoing research

Background and Literature: sources

From peer-reviewed journals and books Wikipedia is not reliable! Select papers that are relevant to your project Your project objective will determine what is relevant

Background and Literature: content

Not just a descriptive list of previous research. Papers should be:

Grouped Linked to your research Evaluated

(More on this section in lecture 2)

Experimental / Design
Linked to the background and literature review Enough detail so that another student could read it

and reproduce the same experiment or design

Results Chapters / Testing & Evaluation

Should link to literature and background
Show how results are calculated Present results clearly: make sure figures are labelled Support results with analysis For Design and Build projects, identify flaws in first design, and follow this with chapters for 2nd design and 2nd evaluation and testing.

Avoid discussion of results this comes next!

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.

Conclusions and Future Work

Dont foreground published research and background

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,

statistics, questionnaires, etc.

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

(More on referencing in lecture 2)

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)

Which 3 parts concern you most?

Abstract Introduction

Getting started Planning your time

Background and Literature

Experimental Results Discussion Conclusions and Future

Reading, selecting and

evaluating the literature Writing in English Staying motivated!

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?