Dissertation in

DUE DATE: 26TH AUGUST 2021

Individual Submission for Feedback: Pulling ALL the Elements of the Dissertation Together
By the end of week 14 please submit for feedback completed ALL the elements of your dissertation.
Make sure that the formatting of your citations and references is always in line with the requirements of the APA Referencing System. 
Length: 7500 words (plus 500 words for dissemination activity); 

DISSERTATION FORMAT AND STRUCTURE

The dissertation must include:

1. A title page ( see example behind this folder)
· Title of Dissertation
· Student’s Name
· Title of Programme of Study
· Statement that the Dissertation is being submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree.
· Year of Submission
· Name of University

2. An abstract of 200 – 300 words summarising the  dissertation.  This should include an outline of key words, aims, methods, results, conclusions and implications of the study.  It      should be single line spaced and fit onto one page
 
3. A declaration signed by the student certifying that the dissertation submitted is the result of their own research and work and that the work of others is duly noted in the references contained in the dissertation; that the work has not already been accepted in substance for any other degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any other degree, and that the dissertation, if accepted for a  Master’s degree, may be lodged in the University Library and be made  available for photocopying and for inter-library loan (see example behind this folder).

     4. A contents page with chapter headings and page numbers.
 
5. An acknowledgements page giving details of individuals and bodies who have assisted the student in the research and the production of the completed dissertation.
 
Structure of main body of dissertation:-
•         Introduction                                                   1000 words approx.
•         Review of                                      1000 words approx.
•         Methodology                                                  1500 words approx.
•         Results & Finding                                          1500 words approx.
•         Conclusion                                                     2000 words approx.
 
· Appendix      (Dissemination Activity)                    500  words approx.
[NB these are just rough guidelines – every dissertation will be different!]

Dissertation Checklist

EVALUATING YOUR DISSERTATION: A CHECKLIST FOR STUDENTS

The Problem

1.      Is the problem stated and defined?  Are the hypotheses to be tested or questions to be answered clearly stated? 
2.      Is the problem researchable?  Are the logical or practical limitations of the research considered?
3.      Is the problem significant/important?  Will the solution or partial solution of this problem make an important contribution to knowledge or practice?
4.      Is the problem properly delimited?   (A thorough investigation of a narrow problem is superior to a cursory examination of too broad a problem.)
5.      Are the limitations inherent in the study recognised and stated?  (Most studies are limited by one or more of the following: data-gathering techniques and instruments, sources of data, and ability of the researcher.  Both the researcher and the reader should be aware of these limitations in interpreting the data.)
6.      Are all special terms and all general terms used in a special way defined?
7.      If you have made any assumptions, are these clearly stated?  (Frequently, researchers will actually have certain assumptions in their minds and feel these assumptions would be obvious to a reader, but this feeling itself is a false assumption!)
8.      Is the background or historical development of the problem adequately described?

Review of Related

1.      Is the emphasis on literature pertinent to the problem? (Or is the impression given that the researcher included almost everything s/he read on the problem?
2.      Is the relationship between the previous research on the problem and the current research described?  (A critical review of previous research emphasising the strengths and weaknesses is important, but it is even more important to point out the similarities and differences when previous research is compared with the current research.)
3.      Did you review research and literature in related disciplines that might have implications for the present study?

Research Methodology

1.      Is the research method used appropriate to the solution of the problem?
2.      Are the procedures described completely and clearly?  (Could another competent investigator be able to repeat the study without difficulty?)
3.      Are the population and the sample identified?
4.      Have you obtained all necessary Ethical permissions? Are information and permissions forms attached to your protocol? (IN CASE OF PRIMARY RESEARCH)
5.      Is the sampling method clear, appropriate and comprehensive?  (For example, the concept of sampling need not be limited to subjects but may also be applied to material, places and test items.)
6.      Are all variables that might influence the study recognised and (where appropriate) controlled?
7.      Have you used valid and reliable instruments to collect the data? (IN CASE OF PRIMARY RESEARCH)
8.      Have you demonstrated care and accuracy in recording and summarising the data?
9.      Are appropriate methods used in analysing the data and are the methods correctly applied?

Discussion of Findings

1.      Are the findings and conclusions clearly stated and supported by the data presented?  (No matter how logical or important a statement may be, it has no place in the conclusions if it is not supported by the data presented in the study.)
2.      Are the findings compared with findings of similar studies reported in the review of related literature?
3.      Are the findings and conclusion impartial, free of bias?  (Bias may be shown both in what is said and by what is not said.)

Conclusion

1.      Does the conclusion give a concise but clear statement of important parts of the study?
2.      Are recommendations made for further research?
3.      Are the implications of the study for practice or policy stated completely and clearly?

Dissemination of Findings

1.      How do you intend to disseminate the findings of your research?  Who would be a suitable audience? (appendix) 

General Considerations

1.      Is the title clear, complete and concise?
2.      Is the organisation of the report logical and clear to the reader?  (Chapter headings and subheadings are particularly helpful.)
3.      Is the report correct in terms of “mechanics” – typing, spelling, grammar, tables, footnotes, referencing and bibliography?  (Carelessness in mechanics could be taken as an indication of a general attitude to your research.  Careless errors distract readers and may prevent them receiving the important message reported.)
4.      Have you followed the ethical guidelines for research, as specified by the university

GUIDANCE ON PRESENTATION OF MA DISSERTATIONS
With respect to typing and presentation students are recommended to: 
1.      Type text on A4 bonded paper (single side only);
2.      Use  double spacing between lines;
3.      Use single spacing for indented quotations;
4.      Use Arial font- print size 12;
5.      Allow the following margins
•         2.5cm from top
•         2.5cm from right
•         3.0cm from left
•         3.0cm from bottom
6.               Separate paragraphs by double spacing and ensure that paragraphs are not indented;
7.               Use BLOCK CAPITALS IN PRINT SIZE 14 WITH BOLD TYPEFACE FOR HEADINGS, and lower case print size 12 with bold typeface for sub headings.

8.               Number each page in mid-centre at the bottom of the page;
9.               Use lower case Roman numerals for the title, abstract, acknowledgements and contents pages;
10.            Use Arabic numerals for the remainder of the dissertation including bibliography;
11.            Ensure the tables and diagrams are numbered and titled.