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The AMSc project: what to expect and how to do it

The AMSc project: what to expect and how to do it. Jane Reid. Aims of the project. Allows practice of taught skills Integrates different elements into one large-scale piece of work Makes a contribution to knowledge (answers the “why?” questions) Does something original

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The AMSc project: what to expect and how to do it

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  1. The AMSc project: what to expect and how to do it Jane Reid

  2. Aims of the project • Allows practice of taught skills • Integrates different elements into one large-scale piece of work • Makes a contribution to knowledge (answers the “why?” questions) • Does something original • Something which has never been done before • Something which has already been done, but not this way • Practical reasons, e.g. a good selling point for employers

  3. What is good research? • Working with an open mind • Critical analysis of material • Identification of generalisations

  4. AMSc project • Approximately 5 months • The most demanding task you will undertake! • Intellectual / research content • Time management and planning • Communication skills (written and oral) • Further information from: http://www.dcs.qmul.ac.uk:8080/courses/Projects/AMSc/

  5. Possible types of project • Analytical / research-based • Developmental / implementational • Experimental / empirical • Formal / theoretical And others… including a mixture of the above

  6. Stages of the project • Choosing a project • Writing a proposal • Literature review • Doing the project! • Writing a project report • Presenting the project

  7. Choosing a project • Choose one that interests you • If you don’t have any ideas: • Speak to lecturers of modules that have interested you • Look on lecturers’ Web pages for ideas • Look at past projects • Read around interesting areas • Decide with your potential supervisor: • Scope of the project (allow some flexibility) • Outcomes of the project • Relevance to degree course

  8. Project proposal • Expect it to change direction over time! • Should address: • Introduction to the subject area (context) • Current research in the area • Identification of a “gap” • Explanation of how your project will fill that gap • I strongly recommend that you complete a project plan AT A VERY EARLY STAGE (well before your interim report)

  9. Literature review [1] • Two stages: • Literature survey • Finding, gathering, managing and understanding relevant research • Use books (for good grounding) • Use journals (for up-to-date, specific treatment of current issues) • Use conference proceedings (take care that they are refereed!) • Use theses / dissertations etc (through inter-library loan if necessary) • Use other resources where necessary (software, manuals, etc) • Use the Internet, but take care - not all resources are good resources! • Literature review itself • Presents your personal view of the field • Provides your own assessment of previous research

  10. Literature review [2] • Hot tips! • Remember to record references AS YOU GO ALONG • Write a list of keywords or a brief summary for each piece of reading you do • Work out where your current reading fits in with previous reading • Be critical - just because it’s published doesn’t mean it’s true, or good!!!

  11. Doing the project! • Meet with your supervisor each week (usually up to 1 hour per week) • Your supervisor is: • A manager • An academic advisor • Prepare for your supervisory meetings and make the best use you can of the time • Manage your time!!!

  12. Writing a project report [1] • Combination of top-down and evolutionary approach is best • Order of writing: • Identify structure • Draft introduction • Write main body, part by part, as you go along • Write conclusions and further work • Rework introduction • Add references, appendices, etc • Finalise contents list

  13. Writing a project report [2] • Hot tips! • Set writing deadlines with your supervisor • Think carefully about the best means of presenting data (text, tables, figures, graphs, etc) • Choose one system of referencing early on, and stick to it • Reference carefully to avoid plagiarism problems

  14. Presenting the project [1] • Establish: • Objectives • Scope • Timing • Think about: • Content • Visual aids, equipment, etc • Delivery / style of presentation • Possible questions from your examiners

  15. Presenting the project [2] • Do NOT: • Jump around when presenting, or stand in front of your slides! • Talk quickly • Read directly from a written text • Instead: • Pick one place to stand, and stay there • Make a deliberate effort to speak slowly and clearly • Use post-it notes on slide copies to prompt you if necessary

  16. Presenting the project [3] • Demonstration • Think about: • Timing • Main points to get across • Unusual / invisible features you want to demonstrate • Be prepared to be diverted! • PRACTISE BEFOREHAND

  17. Assessment criteria • Explicit • Researched knowledge and originality • Theoretical / empirical / engineering competence • Quality of report • Presentation skills • Implicit • Ability to reason and reflect • Time management and professionalism • Report from your supervisor

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