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PPR.399, PPR. 394, PPR. 393 Dissertation modules (Optional)

PPR.399, PPR. 394, PPR. 393 Dissertation modules (Optional). Mairi Levitt, Lancaster University. Types of dissertation. PPR 399 The standard one! PPR 394 Dissertation with external collaboration PPR 393 Dissertation with field studies

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PPR.399, PPR. 394, PPR. 393 Dissertation modules (Optional)

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  1. PPR.399, PPR. 394, PPR. 393 Dissertationmodules (Optional) Mairi Levitt, Lancaster University

  2. Types of dissertation • PPR 399 The standard one! • PPR 394 Dissertation with external collaboration • PPR 393 Dissertation with field studies Fill in form in dissertation handbook for ALL these options but indicate if you want to be considered for PPR 394 or PPR 393

  3. Outline • Course aims • Why the dissertation is important • Choosing a topic • Library resources- • Laura Pimperton PPR subject librarian • Supervision • Research Ethics • Working on the dissertation

  4. Aims Explore a topic in depth Use skills and knowledge gained from other modules Experience of independent work with the advice of a mentor

  5. Why important? • 1. Develops important skills • ability to analyse in-depth and work independently • skills in making arguments, presenting evidence and communicating complex ideas • transfer these skills to work and postgraduate studies • 2. You can choose the topic! • Can focus on something that interests you (but needs also to be manageable) • Enables you to work with an experienced member of staff

  6. Choosing a topic Find an area Propose a focused topic Propose supervisors Best to match your interest with possible supervisors

  7. Example of topics

  8. Example of topics

  9. Two things to keep in mind It is usually sensible to choose a topic related to something you are doing or have done It will also be good if you can match the interests of possible supervisors

  10. Just a long essay? • The dissertation is something more than just a ‘long essay’ • 1. Choose a fairly focused topic and show that you can analyse issues in detail • 2. For some dissertations, sources might go beyond academic books, articles and web search (some do fieldwork) • 3. Present ideas as linked chapters (help available from student learning support from the faculty – Joanne.wood@lancaster.ac.uk)

  11. Summer Term 2014 • Supervisor assigned • See your supervisor • Informal chat • Get direction

  12. Supervision • Supervisors will provide 3 hours of supervision. • That allows for six 30-minute meetings. • Your supervisor will: • i. help you to focus your topic and work out a more precise title; • ii. give you advice on your plan of research and on appropriate reading • iii. comment on an outline plan for the dissertation of 1500 words (max) • iv. be available from time to time (by appointment) for consultation and advice. • But your supervisor will not read or comment on the completed draft of the dissertation prior to submission

  13. Ethics in Research Department of PPR

  14. Research ethics • Take personal responsibility for conducting the research and writing up the results– ‘do no harm’ • Obtain informed consent from all participants • Give particular attention to vulnerable participants • Ensure confidentiality and anonymity of data • Do not undertake research without the necessary skills • Write up the findings with honesty and integrity • Consider feedback to participants • Remember you are representing the university!

  15. What might empirical research add? • A case study to complement your literature review • Expert comment (e.g. theory vs practice) • Filling a gap you have identified in the literature • Support for your conclusions • Originality But: Fieldwork of any kind is not a substitute for surveying the literature and understanding the relevant theoretical ideas and concepts.

  16. Examples of empirical research • One or more interviews with ‘experts’ • Focus groups • Emailed questionnaire • Questionnaire for a specific group in one location • Ethnography • Participant observation

  17. Research with human subjects • A PPR ethical approval form must be completed. • The form must be approved by your supervisor PRIOR to any data collection. • If you require a letter to confirm you have received ethical approval for the project this is issued by your supervisor See University procedures for ethical approval at http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/resources/ethics/procedures.htm [more details at meeting on 13th March See dissertation handbook pages 18-19].

  18. Sources: Scoping • Library – One Search • Books • Journals • Newspapers and periodicals • Websites • Other? Fieldwork?

  19. Focus topic • What is it you are interested in. • What question are you answering. • What answer do you think you will give? • Why? • How are you going to get there?

  20. Outline and chapters • Chapters • What does each chapter do? • How does it fit into the whole? • How are the chapters broken down?

  21. Unrealised Potential: The European Union’s Security Ambitions in light of the 2011 Libyan Civil War. Abstract: This dissertation seeks to answer the question: “How does the 2011 Libyan Civil War expose the problems facing the European Union’s security ambitions?” The EU’s security ambitions are defined with reference to notable agreements such as the St Malo Declaration and the Helsinki Headline Goals, whilst the problems facing these ambitions are identified as four limitations. These are disparate national interests within the EU, limitations caused by the EU itself, a lack of military capability and, relating to this limitation, NATO. Each of these limitations is identified, investigated and then applied to the Libyan Civil War with the aim of demonstrating how this limitation manifested itself in the conflict. In addition, these limitations are analysed with the help of scholarly debate and theories of international relations. This dissertation concludes that these limitations were all evident in the circumstances surrounding the Libyan Civil War.

  22. Chapters • Chapter 1 Introduction • Chapter 2 Identifying the EU’s security ambitions • Chapter 3 Disparate national interests • Chapter 4 The EU itself • Chapter 5 Military capabilities • Chapter 6 NATO • Chapter 7 Conclusion

  23. Planning • Summer • Scoping and reading • Michaelmas Start writing • Outline • Chapters • More reading and writing • Solidify direction • Lent Finish writing • Bibliography • References • Check your work

  24. Working on the dissertation • First meeting with supervisor no later than the end of the Summer term • Aim to get your topic finally agreed during the Summer term • Work on your dissertation during the Summer vacation, if possible, and during next Michaelmas and Lent terms. • Dissertation must be submitted by Monday20th April 2015 New dissertation modules 1000 word plan to be approved by end Summer term.

  25. What to do next... • Start thinking about a topic • Start thinking about a possible supervisor (check the handbook to see who is available) • Return your form to Helen (B.40) no later than Wed 30th April 2014

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