Published by Pearson (November 2, 2012) © 2013
Kathleen McMillan | Jonathan WeyersFully updated since first publication in 2007, and with extended and revised sections in key areas such as Plagiarism & Copyright, Ethics in research, and Citing & Referencing, How to write Dissertations & Research Projects will allow a student to assess and address their particular weaknesses in researching and writing dissertations and longer pieces of coursework and delivers detailed tips, techniques and strategies to enable them to significantly improve their abilities and performance in time to make a difference.
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