Tuesday 30 September 2014

Organising Your Research

Important things to remember..

  • 400 hours of study for a 40 credit module. 
  • 6-9000 word written element and related practical work.
  • 2.5 hours support (minimum) on the written element of your dissertation - the college's promise to you.
  • Always come prepared with research and work development to maximise the effectiveness of each session.
  • DEADLINE 15th JAN 4.00pm (15 WEEKS)
  • Try to have a substantial draft submitted by Christmas.

Planning the Project
  • Write down all questions that you want to investigate. For example if the topic is on graffiti, consider the history, interpretations, subcultures (form a base list of answerable questions about your topic).
  •  From this, select two. If possible, try to combine all of these into primary and secondary questions.
  • Consider each on their own merits and focus on two.
  • Write an A4 'first thoughts' for each. Include ideas and preconceptions surrounding your topic.
  • What is the purpose of the study? Is your question researchable?
  • Think about your working title.

Project Outline
  • Consider timing
  • Consider holidays/work/life
  • Allocate timings to each question 
  • Plan a project outline
  • Factor in tutorials

Literature Search
  • Reading takes longer than you think.
  • How much can you realistically read in 100 hours?
  • Start by finding out key texts on your chosen topic.
  • Focus reading on an initial assessment of this survey.
  • Find key texts and plan time to read at least 1-2 texts.
  • Find secondary sources.

Referencing.
  • Start bibliography at the beginning of the project. 
  • Reference as you go along.
  • Include all details (name, forename, date, place, publisher, page)

A book about organising and writing dissertations - Doing Your Research Project by Judith Bell. 
Remember to search section 371.3 of the library on research.