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yanuar.nugroho@manchester.ac.uk
Masters Dissertations
Dissertation is a formal requirement to
What is a good dissertation?
satisfy a masters degree in UK HEIs. What is not?
Some departments require research
papers, some other final project
Theoretical framework,
reports. While the completion of either approach, methods,
of these is normally internally instruments
supervised, the final assessment is
usually carried out by external Putting all together:
examiners. Writing up
We will be focusing on dissertation in
this session. Dos and Don'ts:
Devising strategies
A typical masters dissertation
Proposal
• Approx 20k words of standard English
• Research, not theoretically, oriented Research design
• Makes up 40% ‐ 50% of the final mark
• A course of 3 months working period
Data collection
• … and within the normal‐curve:
• 60% above 20k need permission!
Analysis
• 80% last minute submission
• 85% went through revision, or just Writing up
mark below average
• 95% bad written English
The small print:
The hard truth: Your 3‐month life during dissertation can be hell –or seriously ruined—
unless you prepare yourself in all aspects: physical, emotional, –including financial. After
completing fieldwork (if any), writing up is the next nightmare. Although English is not
the only factor of the success of your dissertation, having a readable text helps lever the A masters
assessment marks. Quite a big proportion of students consider using a service of proof‐
reader to help them with their English.
dissertation
What is a good dissertation?
Dissertations are written in order to
demonstrate competence to examiners so
Relevant
that you are awarded the degree that you Significant
enrolled for. In order to maximise your
chances, your primary goal should not be Logic
making the major contribution to your field; Realistic
it should not be to dazzle the people in your
department with your brilliance – it should
be to hand in a solid work in a reasonable
amount of time.
The small print:
Another hard truth: very few people will ever read your dissertation. Millions of master’s
(and PhD) dissertations have been written, but very, very few have become anything
approaching bestsellers, or redefined how we look at the world. Yours is unlikely to be
an exception. This does not mean you cannot do your dissertation on something you
enjoy, or that you should not to try push the boundaries of knowledge, but it does mean Doable
that practicality should be your prime motivator.
… and what is not?
Goal
An inappropriate dissertation is usually not (‘will’)
a solid piece of work: either the research
questions are not clear, or the conceptual
Process
framework/theoretical basis is shallow; or
the scope is too wide; or the approach is (‘what, how, when’)
vague; or the methods are trivial; or the
instruments are unsuitable; or it is too Discipline
complex; or it is loosely written; or it is
mostly the combination of two or more
above aspects.
The small print:
Examiners are not happy to read bad dissertations. Bad dissertation is usually caused by
an overly ambitious idea. Don’t try to solve the world’s problems in your dissertation,
even if you really care about them – do that later. By all means, lay the foundation in
your dissertation, but don’t compromise your primary goal of finishing and passing on
schedule. Timely, solid
piece of work
Define research area
Theoretical framework
Identify one-two main
A solid dissertation is usually written based theories
on a research that mobilises a simple
theoretical frameworks based on just one or
Identify debates around
two theories in order to address a set of
these theories
research questions. Make sure the theories
being used are well articulated; make sure
the main debates around these theories are Devise a simple
well discussed; and make sure the theoretical theoretical framework
framework picks their main features.
The small print:
The last thing the examiners are expecting to see is bullet‐point‐lists of theories. Write your
Literature Review chapter (usually Chapter Two) as flowing, readable lines of argument; not
Workable research
pointers of theories.
plan
Approach
The small print:
Examiners are not looking for sophisticated method. What they are expecting is to see a simple
approach that works: an approach that is consistently followed by choice of methods and
instruments
Methods and instruments
Research
Qualitative Approach Quantitative
consists of
consists of
Survey
consists of
consists of Electronic Survey
Postal
Survey MSWord Online
Form survey
In-depth
Interview consolidated
Validated and brought upon into
Workshops collective reflection in …
& FGD
The small print:
Although it is ideal to have a combination of methods, this is often not a realistic things to do in
a masters dissertation. Chose either quantitative or qualitative approach and make sure all the
data is collected and analysed using the appropriate framework suitable for such an approach.
In the discussion section (usually Chapter Five), discuss the limitation of the method chosen.
Theoretical framework
Be knowledgeable …!
Approach
Rigorous research depends on sound analysis,
which in turn depends on the valid data Methods
collected through a correct instrument chosen
from a certain method that is devised from a Instruments
particular approach underpinned by a
theoretical framework to answer a set of
Data collection
answerable research questions.
The small print:
Analysis
The examiners are not interested in the result; but more on the process the research was
undertaken. Therefore, for example, in examining quantitative research, the focus is not on the
discussion of the trend of ‘N’ or ‘n’, but on how the ‘sd’ is being tackled. Likewise, in assessing
qualitative dissertation, the examiner will likely be looking at how different accounts of
individual respondent shed light on the research agenda rather than scrutinising pattern of
respondent’s answer. However, a demonstration of a working knowledge of certain tools, e.g. A solid, rigour
CAQDAS (Atlas.Ti, N‐Vivo) or statistical packages (SPSS, Stata) is always useful in helping the
assessment of a dissertation.
research outcome
Introduction – 6
Writing up
Literature review – 4
• Simple, clear English. Short sentences. Avoid
compound sentences as much as possible.
Methodology – 5
• Active statement, rather than passive voice.
• Pay attention to format (referencing,
formatting, etc.)
Data and result – 1
• Plagiarism is severely punished
• Draft, draft, draft, draft … and draft
Discussions/Analysis – 2
The small print:
Coherent is the keyword. That is what the examiners are looking for. Typically, examiners will
Conclusion/Recomm – 3
see if the research questions stated in Chapter One are all addressed and answered in the
concluding chapter (usually Chapter Five). If they are, then the discussion part will be the next
to look at to see if the student is able to mobilise the theories and use the theoretical
framework to build the argument. If this chapter sounds fine, the data will be checked through
checking the instruments. It is always a good idea to keep a ‘research log’ so that student is
always ready to replicate the analysis if necessary. Writing up a dissertation is not like reading a
book, starting from the first chapter and ending in the last chapter. Instead, usually a writing up
is started by putting down the data (result), then discussing the data, and concluding it. Then, A well structured
literature review is revised (or written) and methodology. Introduction, the first chapter, is the
last chapter to write (or revise).
argument
(dissertation)
Be strategic …! Dos
• Read, read, read …!
Dissertation is not the end of the purpose of • Quote journal as the
your life‐journey in the world. But failing to main reference
finish it may turn your world upside down. • Use alternative ways
So, be strategic. Do what you have to do and of data collection
leave aside all things that you don’t need to. • Manage your time:
Data collection can be laborous and lengthy – use a gantt-chart!
as well as developing an application. Take this • Always have a “B”
all in mind when managing your time: your plan
life is not just about dissertation!
• Make friend with
The small print: your supervisor(s)
Within the normal curve, dissertation mark usually falls into =60‐64 in average. A simple, solid
research, with a minimum level of English readability will be granted this mark. An
• Submit well in
improvement in English will add 2‐3 points (a good styling will generate 5 points!). A noticeable
consistent approach‐methods‐instruments will gain 5 more points. advance of the
deadline
Be strategic …!
Don’ts