How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports

Introduction

1. Tackling a dissertation or project report: how to make the best possible start

2. Choosing a dissertation or project report: how to decide on a theme for your investigation

Planning your research

3. Writing a proposal: how to structure a successful dissertation or research proposal

4. Time management: how to write your dissertation or project while balancing family, work and leisure

5. Planning for dissertations: how to begin your research and evolve a model for your writing

6. Planning for experimental projects: how to organise your efforts effectively

Finding and filtering information

7.  Information literacy: how to make the best use of the library resources

8. Effective academic reading: how to read efficiently and with understanding

9. Analysing and evaluating source material: how to filter and select relevant material as part of the research process

10. Note-making from source material: how to create effective notes to support your dissertation and project research

Applying research techniques

11. Principles of quantitative research:  how to obtain and analyse numerical information

12. Principles of qualitative research: how to obtain and analyse descriptive information

13.Experimental research and field visits: how to develop and apply your skills

14. Thinking critically: how to develop a logical approach to analysis and problem-solving

Working with Data & Numbers

15. Number crunching: how to solve problems in arithmetic and algebra

16. Interpreting and presenting data: how to understand & produce graphs, tables & basic statistics

Addressing issues of plagiarism, referencing amd ethics

17. Plagiarism and copyright infringement: how to avoid being accused of ‘stealing’ the ideas and work of others

18. Citing and listing references: how to refer appropriately to the work of others

19. Ethics in researching and reporting: how to follow good research practice

Writing a first draft

20. Structuring a dissertation: how to organise your writing within a standard framework

21. Structuring a project report: how to select and shape your content appropriately

22. Academic writing style: how to adopt appropriate language conventions

Editing, revising and presenting

25. Reviewing, editing and proof-reading: how to make sure that your writing is concise and correct

26. Exploiting feedback: how to understand and learn from what your supervisor writes on your work

27. Presentation of dissertations and reports: how to follow the appropriate academic conventions

References and further reading

Glossary