Planning your dissertation

(Pocket study skills) A friendly and accessible companion to doing a dissertation. Focuses on the early stages of getting started and making a plan, whilst also outlining the later stages and offering models to help students to look and plan ahead, right to the end. Diagrams and illustrations are used to make key points. Dissertations don't have to be daunting. This essential guide takes students through the planning for each stage of their dissertation, from hatching an idea to handing in their finished project. Bite-size chapters cover everything from devising a research question and engaging with the literature to choosing a methodology and refining your writing style. It also includes nine sample dissertations, so students can better anticipate what lies ahead. Clear and concise, it provides practical advice at every step and action plans to help students to stay on track. This book is the ideal companion to all students completing a dissertation as part of their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. It speaks to students of all backgrounds, from science and technology to social sciences and humanitiesAcknowledgements.- Introduction.- PART I: GETTING STARTED.- 1. Getting Strategic .- 2. Exploring Ideas.- 3. Working With Your Supervisor.- PART II: PLANNING YOUR RESEARCH.- 4. Starting Your Reading.- 5. Focussing Your Research Question.- 6. Time Planning a Longer Project.- 7. Your Research Plan.- 8. The Supervisor's Perspective.- PART III: PLANNING YOUR LITERATURE REVIEW.- 9. Think: What Are You Looking For?.- 10. Finding It.- 11. Reading It.- 12. Making Sense of It.- 13. Planning It.- PART IV: THINKING ABOUT METHODOLOGY.- 14. Aim and Objectives.- 15. Make Sure Your Methods Match Your Aims!.- 16. Using Theory.- 17. The 'Systematic' Approach: Literature Review as Methodology.- PART V: WHAT'S IN A DISSERTATION?.- Science / Technology / Healthcare.- Dissertation 1: Biomedical Science.- Dissertation 2: Sport Science.- Health and Social Care / Social Science / Business / Education.- Dissertation 3: Healthcare.- Dissertation 4: Business .- Dissertation 5: Business (Hospitality) .- Dissertation 6: Education.- Dissertation 7: Development Studies .- Dissertation 8: Business .- Humanities/Arts.- Dissertation 9: History.- PART VI: WRITING AND ARGUMENT.- 18. Writing Paragraphs.- 19. The Language of Argument.- 20. Writing Style: Using 'I'.- PART VII: PLANNING YOUR ENDGAME.- 21. Be Clear About What You Are Aiming For.- 22. The Conclusion and Introduction.- 23. First Impressions and Last Thoughts.- 24. Journey's End?.- References.- Index