The dissertation should be structured and presented as near as possible to the structure provided below in the guidelines section
Guidelines Please read carefully or you could end up penalising yourself.
Structure of Dissertation
Abstract - This is a short section (maximum one page), which concisely summarises the whole of the dissertation; the main aim of the research, the findings of the Literature Review, the research methodology adopted, the findings of your primary research and the conclusions made. It should be written in the past tense.
Contents Page - This should be written on a separate page and should show chapter/section headings and page numbers. It should include all appendices and be followed by separate lists of tables and figures if appropriate.
Introduction - introduction should contain the topic clearly stated and defined, the reason why it is of interest to us, a clear overall purpose and definitions of all special and general terms. This chapter should also end with a clear research question or questions, a list of objectives and a hypothesis or hypotheses if needed.
Literature Review - This chapter should demonstrate that we have conducted a thorough and critical investigation of relevant sources, outlining, comparing and discussing key ideas, explanations, concepts, models and theories. we should present these ideas in a systematic, well-structured and logical sequence.we r expected to use prominent and up-todate books and academic journals. This chapter should end with a statement of the gap in current knowledge which your research aims to fill.
Methodology - This chapter describes and assesses the approach we have taken to the data collection process (research philosophy, research strategy, method(s), validity etc.) For each research question or hypothesis and objectives we should have a method for achieving it, making sure that we offer clear rationales for the decisions that we have made. we should explicitly describe our chosen method(s) and any sampling techniques used. It is also important to give a brief assessment of other potential relevant data collection methods and why we discounted them. Do not describe all data collection methods. There should be a critique of the success, or otherwise, of our method(s). Explain the appropriateness of the data analysis techniques that we have selected. we must also discuss validity, reliability and generalisability.
Findings / Results - In this chapter the data generated should be reported as completely and neutrally as is possible such that the reader can assess it easily. This is where you will include such tables and graphs that will illustrate our findings. This chapter will also contain verbatim quotes from interviewees, or sections of narrative account that illustrate periods of unstructured observation. The purpose of this chapter is to present the facts. It is not appropriate in this chapter to begin to offer opinions on the facts.
Analysis /Discussion of Findings
we should present our analysis clearly and logically and it should be relevant to your research aim, research question(s), hypothesis (es) and objectives. Make sure that we relate the findings of our primary research to your Literature Review. we can do this by comparison: discussing similarities and particularly differences. If we think our findings have confirmed some literature findings, say so and say why. If we think our findings are at variance with the literature, say so and say why.
Conclusions/ Recommendations
Stating the main conclusions of our dissertation. State explicitly how and to what extent we have met our aims and objectives / answered our research question(s) / proved our hypothesis (es) whichever is appropriate. our conclusions should follow logically from our findings and not contain any new material. Recommendations can be made if appropriate.
Appendices, illustrations etc
Any necessary information should be here, for example, sampled questionnaires, topic guides, etc. Each appendix should be lettered (A, B, C etc.) and should consist of detailed information that is interesting but not essential to the main thrust of our findings section
References Full references to every source used, presented in the format of the Harvard System of Referencing.
· Presentation of the Dissertation
The dissertation should conform to the following standards:
Length -between 15,000 and 20,000 words
The word count should be written on your feedback sheet.
· Quotes and the References List are not included in the word count
· The dissertation should be word-processed
Font
· can use any font style available (as long as it is legible). Once we have chosen a style be consistent, do not change to another.
· Font size 11 to be used. The size of chapter headings and section headings are left to your discretion but should not be unduly large.
Bolding and Italics
· It is normal to bold just the headings
· Italicise our quotations
· Do not italicise or underline any text that we think is important
Pagination
· All page number should be numbered in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3 etc.)
· Page 1 is the first page of the Introduction
· The sections that come before the Introduction are usually numbered with small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv etc.)
· All page numbers should be at the bottom centre of the page
Margins
· Margins at the binding edge must not be less than 40mm (1.5 inches) and other margins not less than 20mm (0.75 inch)
Spacing
· 1.5 spacing should be used for all text
· However, indented quotations should have single line spacing
Chapters and Section Headings
· Each chapter should have a title
· Section headings should be used and be numbered
· The system of numbering should be consistent
· Each chapter should be started on a new sheet of paper.
Tables and Figures
· Where tables and figures (graphs, charts and diagrams) are used they should, as far as possible, be given margins equal to or greater than a page of text
· They should be displayed or pasted into the dissertation as near as possible to the relevant text.
· Each one should be numbered consecutively, for example, Table 1, Figure 1, etc
· All Tables and Figures should clearly state their source
· Word Limit - 15,000-20,000 Words + References & Appendices
· Referencing style - The Harvard Referencing System must be used. No Wikipedia.