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Dissertation Writing

Dissertation Writing

Study Skills

UNIT 11

This topic is also available in the on-line Study Skills Programme at http://www.uwic.ac.uk/ltsu/u_area/studyskills/index.html

Introduction

On many courses at UWIC you will be expected to prepare and write a dissertation in your final year. The dissertation forms a very important part of a course. It is important to understand why you are asked to write it and more importantly how you should structure it. Understanding this will help you get a good grade and make graduation day really seem worthwhile.
This unit will explain why you are asked to write a dissertation and suggest a way in which you should structure it. It is only a general guide and you should consult your DISSERTATION MODULE HANDBOOK for further specific guidance before embarking on your dissertation.
Only browse through this unit quickly, unless you are already thinking about your dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

If you work through this unit you will be better able to:
• Explain why you are asked to write a dissertation
• Explain what the role of your dissertation supervisor is
• Choose a topic to write about
• Begin preparing for your dissertation by researching your topic
• Write your aims and objectives
• Determine the methodology to be used
• Write up your dissertation based on a structure similar to:
▪ Purpose (Introduction)
▪ Review of the Literature
▪ Methodology
▪ Systematic Presentation of the Data
▪ Discussion, Analysis & Interpretation of the Data
▪ Summary and Conclusions
• Know who you can get help from
• Be aware of the importance of the Submission dates.

Why should I write a dissertation?

For many courses, a dissertation forms part of the coursework for a degree. For some courses it is linked with work experience. It provides you with an opportunity to undertake a piece of...