Back: Coursework 2
While the structure of projects may vary, the sections below may be used as a guideline for the project outline. You may need to include other sections in addition to these, and not all sections may be required.
0. Formatting before the main text
- Front cover which includes:
- the title of your Dissertation
- your name
- the name of the degree
- the academic year of submission
ii. Certificate of Originality – containing the following text:
Declaration
I hereby certify that this dissertation which I now submit in partial fulfillment for the degree of BSc(Hons) _______________________ is entirely my own work and has not been taken from the work of others, save to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged within this text.
Signed __________________________________ Date _______________
To sign the declaration, please either:
- use an electronic signature, or
- print out this statement to sign and then scan it to include in the dissertation
- A 250 word abstract summarising the main argument, the research question/aim and objectives, the method of investigation and the main conclusions reached.
- A contents page, which gives a schematic breakdown of the dissertation, listing chapter titles and as much substructure as is necessary.
- Acknowledgments (if appropriate).
- An introduction which describes the general perspective of your study.
- The introduction should end with a statement of the project objectives.
1. Chapter 1: Literature Review
Assessed based on:
- How well the overall research aim/question has been formulated
- The appropriateness of the literature reviewed in light of the research aim/question and the primary research gathered
- The format of the literature review – how well the review moves from general or background literature into literature that is specific to the focus of the research
- How well the literature review conveys a rationale for the project’s overall aim/question
2. Chapter 2: Methodology
Assessed based on:
- The appropriateness of the methodology and methods selected
- Justification for the methodology and methods selected and for those not selected
- Presentation of an appropriate data analysis procedure
- The appropriateness of the data collected
- Risk and ethics appropriately considered and addressed
3. Chapter 3: Findings*
Assessed based on:
- The appropriateness of the data analysis
- Presentation of appropriate and empirically based findings
- The appropriateness of the discussion of findings
- The extent to which the literature reviewed has been integrated into the discussion of findings
4. Chapter 4: Discussion of findings
Assessed based on:
- The appropriateness of the data analysis
- Presentation of appropriate and empirically based findings
- The appropriateness of the discussion of findings
- How well the discussion integrates the literature in the review
5. Chapter 5: Conclusion
Assessed based on:
- The delivery of conclusions
- The extent to which defined aims and objectives have been fulfilled
- The contribution of the research to the wider subject area
*Alternatively, it may be appropriate to have a chapter entitled ‘Presentation of findings’, including both the findings and a discussion of the findings.
6. References: i.e. a list of all literature sources cited in the text, referenced correctly in the Harvard style.
- Referencing to be covered in library sessions
- Recommended to use RefWorks (create an account here)
7. Appendices, including a copy of questionnaires, supporting materials, 2 samples of interview transcripts, details of coding schemes, etc.
- Appendix 1 must contain the copy of the ethical approval email that you received. You can print the email as a pdf or take a screenshot.
- Appendix 2 must contain your workplan including agreed work with the supervisor at each meeting.
You must also retain your primary data, e.g. Completed questionnaires or interview transcripts, which may be requested by the external examiner