Mastering Your Dissertation

′From finding a research topic through to the final write up, this clear guide takes the mystery out of graduate-level research. This book will help your project succeed′ - James V. Spickard, Professor of Sociology, University of Redlands, US Just starting your Master′s? Worried about your dissertation? This book is an indispensible guide to writing a successful Master′s dissertation. The book begins by addressing issues you′ll face in the early stages of writing a dissertation, such as deciding on what to research, planning your project and searching for literature online. It then guides you through different aspects of carrying out your research and writing up, helping you to: Write a research proposal Choose one or more methods Write the introduction and conclusion Discuss the literature Analyse your findings Edit and reference Formulate research questions Build your argument The book offers guidance that other books often miss, from dealing with emotional blocks, to ways of identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and improving your writing. It addresses the social aspects of the writing process, such as choosing and working with an advisor, using social media and forming student work groups for added help and inspiration. Each chapter ends with an action plan, which is a resource section that features exercises and reflection questions designed to help you apply what you′ve read to your own work. Student Success is a series of essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to boosting your employability and managing your wellbeing, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university.

"Mastering Your PhD: Survival and Success in the Doctoral Years and Beyond" helps guide PhD students through their graduate student years. Filled with practical advice on getting started, communicating with your supervisor, staying the course, and planning for the future, this book is a handy guide for graduate students who need that extra bit of help getting started and making it through. While mainly directed at PhD students in the sciences, the book's scope is broad enough to encompass the obstacles and hurdles that almost all PhD students face during their doctoral training. Who should read this book? Students of the physical and life sciences, computer science, math, and medicine who are thinking about entering a PhD program; doctoral students at the beginning of their research; and any graduate student who is feeling frustrated and stuck. It's never too early -- or too late! This second edition contains a variety of new material, including additional chapters on how to communicate better with your supervisor, dealing with difficult people, how to find a mentor, and new chapters on your next career step, once you have your coveted doctoral degree in hand.

"I found this book indispensable and consulted it pretty much on a daily basis throughout the whole process of planning and writing my dissertation. By following the book from beginning to end I was able to hand-in a piece of work that I was both proud of and confident would meet Masters standards." Lee Pimlott, Masters Student, University of Derby, UK Amazon reviews for the 1st edition: "The ONE book you need to guide you through writing your master's thesis. It ensures you 'tick all the boxes' necessary for a good result. I especially liked the 'common mistake by students' in each section." "The book provides structure, clarity, time management and advice on content for your dissertation. I am delighted to say I passed my Master's with a distinction and owe a lot to the guidance provided by this book." This popular book continues to demystify the dissertation writing process. Taking a step-by-step approach to the dissertation life cycle and highlighting examples of good and bad practice and the common mistakes that students often make, the book provides clear guidance on how to gain marks, as well as how to avoid losing them. From your initial research proposal to your final submission, you will find this book an indispensible guide. This new edition offers: Additional advice on mind-mapping, note taking and speed reading techniques, as well as time management and how to make the most of your supervisor More information on research methods A new chapter 'Systematic Reviews' Succeeding with Your Master's Dissertation is essential reading for all students tackling dissertations on Master's courses or on short postgraduate courses, the social sciences, business and humanities. The book is also key reading for supervisors and undergraduates considering postgraduate study.

Doing a Master’s Dissertation in TESOL and Applied Linguistics is a practical guide for master’s students tackling research and research writing for the first time. Structured for use in class or as part of an independent study, and divided into the four stages of designing, researching, writing up and submitting a dissertation, this book: carefully guides readers from the very beginning of producing a research proposal, all the way through to assessment procedures and the provisions for resubmission; covers publishing your dissertation and applying for higher research degrees, including funding; addresses all the most fundamental concerns students have about master’s dissertations, including how to choose a topic and conducting a literature review; draws upon examples from master’s dissertations from the UK, US and Australia and provides numerous ‘how-to’ tables and checklists; and includes activities and resources to facilitate master’s research and dissertation writing, as well as FAQs and solutions at the end of each chapter. Tailormade for MA students in TESOL or Applied Linguistics, this book is essential reading for students on these degrees around the world as well as for their supervisors and programme directors.

This reader-friendly guide is specifically designed for any student who has ever had a question about theses as part of their university undergraduate degree course in a life- or health science-related subject. It covers the varied types of projects that exist, including experimental work, surveys, meta-analyses, audits and qualitative and quantitative studies - all in one place. Get support at planning, completing and writing of your research based thesis. By using examples and check lists, this book leads you through the entire process encompassing each chapter of the dissertation. Let the question and answer writing style encourage you and boost your confidence when embarking on what is probably your largest piece of work to date, solved in a step by step approach. The experienced authors have run an enormous number of web and face-to-face workshops to support students in life and health sciences and help them write their dissertations. It became clear that research theses are a considerable source of anxiety and that many essential questions need answering - this book is your solution.

The ability to write to a high standard is a key skill that is often overlooked in the business world. This short book from an international, best-selling author offers a practical guide to conceiving, researching and writing a business or management dissertation. Robert Lomas offers an inspirational treatise that will awaken the quest for knowledge among his readership. The book helps business students to frame their research questions in a more helpful manner in order to achieve their research aims and write in a clear and top scoring way. Topics covered include collecting and measuring data, using business statistics, planning research projects and the real mechanics of writing a dissertation. Masters students across business and management will benefit enormously from reading this book, not just in adding serious value to their dissertations, but also helping to improve their writing skills throughout their business careers. This book includes a foreword by Mark Booth.

What do I need to do to write a literature, context or systematic review? How do I explain my research methods and write up my findings? Help! How do I prepare for a viva? This essential handbook carefully guides the student through the entire dissertation process from start to finish, offering clear, straightforward and practical advice. Biggam uses clear illustrations of what students should do- or not do - to reach their full potential, helping them to succeed with their dissertation and avoid common pitfalls along the way. Thoroughly updated, this popular book takes the student from research proposal, through literature reviews, research methods, and writing up, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, through to submission and marking, featuring: • New chapter on ‘Introducing the Master’s Dissertation’ focusing on the skills you need to succeed • New material on Contextual Review for computer science, art and performance art students • Updated material on the benefits of using university library databases and social media in research • Expanded advice on the emotional journey and where to find assistance and support • New Research Methods chapter for art, drama and computer science students This is key reading for any social science, business, humanities or healthcare student required to complete a dissertation as part of their studies. It will also prove useful for undergraduate students considering postgraduate studies and for supervisors facilitating dissertation supervision. "This book is a really excellent and friendly guide through the Master’s dissertation process. It is clearly and engagingly written and easily understandable to a student. It also guides students gently from a general understanding in the first chapter, down to a significant level of detail in each subsequent chapter with worked examples and relevant practical tips. It also usefully highlights common mistakes. The book presents a realistic view of undertaking a Master’s degree, presenting the generic skills needed for success and acknowledging that life outside the dissertation is complex, messy, and can sometimes get in the way! It is particularly useful and relevant to my students as, unlike many other books on this topic, it does not ignore practice-based forms of research, in fact the book includes a substantial chapter on practice-as-research in the creative disciplines. This chapter includes software alongside creative arts and is therefore particularly suitable for inter- or multi-disciplinary postgraduates using technology to enhance their existing understanding of a subject (or their practice) through research. I also really like the fact that the chapter on Abstracts is at the end (where it belongs!) and that students are explicitly told to write it last – no matter how many times I tell my students this, it is a common and recurring mistake!" Daisy Abbott, School of Simulation and Visualisation, The Glasgow School of Art, UK "The dissertation component of a Master’s programme can be very daunting for students. In this book John Biggam demystifies both the concept, and process of a dissertation. Biggam clearly explains the different parts of a dissertation, and offers a pragmatic structure which can be used by students to help frame their ideas. Also, the guidance given in the book is written in a reassuring tone which is never patronising. The summary on good practise in dissertation writing should be particularly useful during the planning stage, and as a final check for students." Dr Donna Murray SFHEA, Head of Taught Student Development, Institute for Academic Development, The University of Edinburgh, UK

A Master's dissertation is very different from an academic essay, yet all too often post-graduate students are expected to make the transition without guidance. This guide brings together advice from a team of experts on how to plan, draft, write and revise a thesis.