Succeeding With Your Master’s Dissertation
- Length: 320 pages
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- Publisher: Open University Press
- Publication Date: 2021-05-25
- ISBN-10: 0335249817
- ISBN-13: 9780335249817
- Sales Rank: #2330535 (See Top 100 Books)
Succeeding with your Master’s Dissertation is a thorough and comprehensive guide for postgraduate dissertation students. Now in its fifth edition, it offers clear, straightforward and practical support for each stage of the master’s dissertation.
Brimming with examples of good practice, to help students to reach their full potential, this fully updated and revised edition takes students through the entire writing process, from start to finish, from proposal to submission.
Featuring detailed guidance on how to:
- Clarify your research objectives
- Produce a research proposal
- Complete each chapter of a traditional dissertation: Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methods, Findings, and Conclusion
- Reference sources
- Add a professional touch
- Prepare for a viva
This is essential reading for social science students of all disciplines. Additional, tailored advice is provided on:
- Writing about theory and practice
- Critiquing what you have created
- Completing a systematic review
I first became aware of John’s work on how to undertake your MSc when he came to give a presentation on this subject to our cohort of MSc students. I loved his methodology and practical advice. I bought this book and since then have tried to apply its advice to the MSc students I supervise and others I have tried to help. Buy it, it will help you – it’s worth every penny.
Dr Mario Antonioletti, EPCC, The University of Edinburgh, UK
In this book John Biggam, offers a clear background on why a dissertation is a standard part of many Masters programmes, and provides a user-friendly approach to planning and writing large pieces of work. Pragmatic advice and guidance on good practise will help students to keep on track with their dissertation, and avoid common errors. The book is written in a reassuring way which should be applicable to students across disciplines.
Donna Murray, Head of Taught Student Development, The University of Edinburgh, UK
Biggam’s book, now in its fifth edition, is the go-to guide to researching and producing a Master’s dissertation. Taking a practical, skills-based yet scholarly approach, it is current, comprehensive and rigorous. Standout content includes sections on common mistakes made by students, useful templates and a unique chapter on Dissertations by Practice, making it an instructive resource for students of the social sciences and humanities alike.
Dr Kate Daniels, Senior Teaching Officer in Academic Training & Development for International Students, University of Cambridge, UK
Contents 1 THE MASTER’S DISSERTATION What’s a Master’s dissertation? What are you being tested on? What skills and qualities do you need? How to use this book The structure of the book Summary of key points 2 SUBMITTING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL Purpose and content Working title Background information Overall research aim Individual research objectives Research methods Setting a timescale Ethics Checklist Further reading Summary of key points 3 PREPARING FOR YOUR DISSERTATION Getting comfortable Creating a dissertation template Supervision: roles, responsibilities and meetings Dealing with feedback The dissertation marking scheme An emotional journey Checklist Reference Further reading Summary of key points 4 PLAGIARISM AND REFERENCING Plagiarism What is referencing? In-text referencing Creating a reference list Checklist Reference Further reading Summary of key points 5 THE DISSERTATION INTRODUCTION The general structure of the Introduction Background Research focus Overall research aim and individual research objectives Outline research methods and timescales Value of your research A further suggestion Checklist Summary of key points 6 THE LITERATURE REVIEW What constitutes a good Literature Review? Structuring your Literature Review The language of academic discourse Description vs critical evaluation Learning theory and your dissertation Literature search techniques University library databases Concluding your Literature Review Contextual Review Systematic Review Checklist References Further reading Summary of key points 7 RESEARCH METHODS What’s it all about? Research strategy Data collection Data analysis Limitations and potential hurdles Artist as researcher Checklist Further reading Summary of key points 8 WRITING UP YOUR FINDINGS Writing up the findings: traditional dissertations Writing up the findings: art and performance-baseddissertations Checklist Further reading Summary of key points 9 CONCLUDING YOUR DISSERTATION What is in a Conclusion? Introduction Research objectives: summary offindings and conclusions Recommendations or implicationsor lessons learned Contribution to knowledge Self-reflection The viva Checklist Summary of key points 10 WRITING THE ABSTRACT What is an abstract? How to write an abstract Abstract template Checklist Summary of key points 11 ADDING A PROFESSIONAL TOUCH Creating a list of abbreviations Creating a glossary of terms Creating a simple index Further information Checklist Summary of key points 12 SUMMARY OF GOOD AND BAD PRACTICE Forewarned is forearmed Summary of good practice to adopt Summary of bad practice to avoid APPENDICES
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