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MA Dissertation Workshop

Outline . What does an MA dissertation consist of?What should I write about? Ideas for choosing a topicThe structure of a dissertationPracticalities --Planning and time management, including key datesPitfalls. 1 What does an MA dissertation consist of? . A reflection of a sustained and well-man

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MA Dissertation Workshop

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    1. MA Dissertation Workshop 30 November 2010

    2. Outline What does an MA dissertation consist of? What should I write about? Ideas for choosing a topic The structure of a dissertation Practicalities --Planning and time management, including key dates Pitfalls

    3. 1 What does an MA dissertation consist of? A reflection of a sustained and well-managed research process A reflection of your ability to apply and expand upon your what you have learned in your course of study within the context of self-supported study A reflection of your research interests and capabilities (theoretical and/ or empirical) A reflection of your ability to write/ articulate your ideas in line with academic theories, concepts and ideas.

    4. The importance of theory A conceptual framework A research question

    5. By research we mean the whole process, not just the investigation. Your ‘research’ starts today. Many experts on conducting research advise starting a research diary.

    6. 2 What should I write about?– Choosing a topic Existing sociological debates and ideas (a theoretical study) Your own findings on a specific topic or issue (and empirical study)

    7. Blaxter, L., Hughes, C., and Tight, M. 1996 How to Research Box 11: Ten ways to think of a research topic Ask your supervisor, manager, friends, colleagues, customers, clients, or mother. Look at previous research Develop some of your previous research, or your practice at work. Relate it to your other interests/ Think of a title. Start from a quote that engages you. Follow your hunches Draw yourself a picture or a diagram. Just start anywhere. But be prepared to change direction.

    8. Important things to consider in choosing and developing a topic Sociological problem Topic Intellectual/ Theoretical Context Methodology

    9. The overall effect should be (a) a well-rounded presentation of an initial puzzle or problem, (b) justification of the research methods chosen, (c) extensive analysis of the central arguments or findings, (d) relevant conclusions and (e) bibliography or list of references. The capacity to weld all of this information together into a coherent argument that flows logically from the initial statement of the problem, offers a detailed examination of evidence, and draws conclusions on the basis of the evidence, is one indicator of the student’s suitability for further postgraduate training and/or a career in research.

    10. What’s the difference between an MA dissertation and an undergraduate dissertation?

    11. Differences between MA and undergraduate dissertation? It presents a coherent argument. It demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the literature It has a clear and explicit conceptual focus It provides an analysis of a social phenomenon/ theory, not simply a description of it—although description may be part of ethnographic research Some degree of originality/ individuality

    12. What do we mean by originality (in an MA dissertation)? Does NOT mean finding out something or arguing something that no one else knew or suspected. Means putting together your interpretation of a problem, based on your synthesis/ analysis of sociologists’ writings or an analysis of data you produce yourself. Your interpretation may confirm (or question) what others have said or found out. Ways you can give yourself scope to not to simply replicate what others have said is to (1) compare texts, phenomena, groups; (2) choose your own example(s) or texts to illuminate/ critique a theory; (3)produce data of your own.

    13. Ideally an MA dissertation should have a sustained argument. This means that it should draw upon the results of your reading, thinking and information-gathering in such a way that it could persuade readers to accept your understanding of the topic. The main aim is to use a selection of concepts, theoretical ideas, observations, statistical findings and your own faculties of criticism and imagination in an attempt to reach defensible conclusions about a topic which interests you.

    14. 3. Structure of a dissertation Look at the examples of dissertations and consider: What is their scope (as indicated by the title) Do they have chapter headings and section headings which guide the reader through their analysis? What are their headings? Do they specify their aims and objectives? Where? Do they say what their research question is?

    15. Word length The dissertation for MA Social Research is a maximum of 10,000 words, excluding Bibliography/ List of References at the end and Appendices. The dissertation for all the other MAs is 15, 000 words, excluding Bibliography/ List of References at the end and Appendices. These rules changed since Handbook went to press, but the penalties for overlength remain the same. The 15,000 word length is longer than in previous years, so don’t be alarmed if you notice that old dissertations are shorter.

    16. Usual structure of dissertations Introduction- why the research is important/ interesting, what made you choose this topic (500-750 words) Literature review- a review of the existing research in the field, including a discussion of your conceptual framework (2000 to 3000 words) Methodology- how you did the research, ethical issues, why your methods are appropriate, how they link up to your theoretical approach, your research question(s) (1000-1500 words)

    17. Empirical chapter (3000 to 4500 words) Empirical chapter (3000 to 4500 words) Discussion and Conclusions (500 to 750 words)

    18. 5 Practicalities Become familiar with the Departmental advice on presentation and submission of dissertations. Consult the postgraduate MA handbook, and especially the sections on Producing a Dissertation, Plagiarism, Academic Writing, which includes information about referencing. http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/pg/current/current2009 Covers plagiarism and its penalties, layout of a dissertation, referencing, and dissertation expenses.

    19. Begin to think about possible literature searches and sources (and consider practical questions about their location). Identify the hand-in date (7 September 2011) and plan backwards in terms of the research process (include time for proofreading, tidying up the References, and binding).

    20. Begin to think about access negotiation and possible lines of fieldwork enquiry (negotiate access, geographic issues re travel/ expenses), preliminary fieldwork visits, respondent and institutional consent, personal authorisation/ police checks, broader ethical issues Up to Ł75 can be claimed for research expenses, with the appropriate form, and receipts. MA Handbook lists what kinds of expenses can be covered, and you can check beforehand too, to be sure (pp 55-6 of handbook).

    21. Ethical considerations All students will be submitting a form saying that they and their supervisors have considered any ethical issues that have to be given special consideration in conducting the research. You may have to develop a consent form for participants.

    22. Work with your supervisor During Term 2 you should start to discuss your ideas for your dissertation with the convenor of your degree, to make sure that it constitutes an appropriate topic for that degree, and to get initial advice. Towards the end of Term 2, students will submit a form (to be distributed closer to the time) to Chris Wilson listing the provisional title and brief description of their proposed topic of their MA dissertation research. Over the vacation, Chris and I will liaise with the degree convenors to assign students to an appropriate supervisor. Students will be informed of the name of their supervisor when they return to University at the beginning of Term 3, and supervisors will be informed of the names and topics of those they will be supervising. After this students will be responsible for making contact with the supervisor and arranging times for supervision. This means you can start sustained work on your dissertation immediately when you return from the Spring break. NB. In May, i.e. once the second set of essays has been marked, the graduate progress meeting grants permission for students to proceed to dissertation if they have passed all their essays.

    23. Overall timetable (working with your supervisor, draft chapters and hand-in dates of supervisions/tutorials Time away from university of both yourself and the supervisor You are ‘allowed’ 5 supervision sessions of 30 minutes before the end of July, so to use this well you’ll need to submit first drafts of key chapters before this.

    24. Pitfalls Running out of time Plagiarism Next dissertation workshop: Developing your topic further Theory-based dissertations Further consideration of ethical dilemmas Considering PhD research Other areas you would like us to cover.

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