Synopses & Reviews
Faced with your dissertation or major project and need some help getting started? Thinking about how your final project will affect your overall grades? Then read on.
Tapping into her tried and tested formula for learning, bestselling author of The Study Skills Handbook, Stella Cottrell, takes you step-by-step through the key stages of planning, developing, researching and writing up your dissertation or project report.
Whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate, this guide:
- Offers comprehensive coverage of the major components essential to producing strong dissertations and project reports
- Gives unique emphasis to the importance of project management skills
- Gets you involved through interactive activities, checklists and engaging student examples
Most importantly, it offers the support you need at every stage and will help ensure that the creation of your academic masterpiece is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Synopsis
Bestselling author Stella Cottrell taps into her tried and tested formula for learning and brings students the essential guide to producing top-quality dissertations and project reports. The book breaks down this process into manageable chunks and covers everything from preparation and planning through to conducting research and writing up the finished article. Packed with dozens of hands-on activities and quotes from real students, this book demystifies dissertations and project reports and helps ensure that the process is an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
This is an invaluable resource for students of all levels embarking on a dissertation, project report or other piece of extended writing. Its interdisciplinary approach means it is the ideal companion for students of all disciplines.
About the Author
Stella Cottrell is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement at the University of East London, UK. This position sees a return to the University of East London for Stella where she previously spent ten years working in educational development. Prior to her current position, Stella was Director for Lifelong Learning at the University of Leeds, UK.
She has an international reputation for teaching and learning with her publications for staff and students being used by universities and colleges around the world. First published in 1999, The Study Skills Handbook is now in its 4th edition and has sold more than ¾ million copies worldwide. Stella has authored a number of other bestselling study skills guides as part of the Palgrave Study Skills series including Critical Thinking Skills and The Palgrave Student Planner. Palgrave's interactive e-learning study skills resource, skills4studycampus, is also based on her work.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART I: PREPARATION AND PLANNING
1. Where Do I Start?
2. What Makes a Good Dissertation or Research Project?
3. Project Managing Your Dissertation
4. Managing Yourself for the Task
5. Time and Timing
6. Working with Your Supervisor
PART II: DEVELOPING YOUR PROPOSAL
7. Understanding the Assignment Brief
8. Selecting Your Topic and Title
9. Literature Search and Review
10. Principles of Good Research
11. Methodologies: Approaches to Research
12. Ethical Considerations
13. Writing the Research Proposal
PART III: CONDUCTING THE RESEARCH
14. The Evidence Base
15. Working with Participants
16. Experiments
17. Observations
18. Surveys and Questionnaires
19. Interviews
20. Case Studies
21. Interpreting Your Findings
PART IV: WRITING IT UP
22. Your Writing Strategy
23. Getting the Structure Right
24. Fine Tuning your Writing
25. Viva Exams
Final Considerations
References
Index