The introduction lays the foundations for the remainder of the dissertation. It offers an overview of your argument and leads into the specific focus of the research questions and hypotheses you are using. It also shows the way your research question links to the broader literature and illustrates the main theoretical/analytical framework you will use to inform your study. This chapter can be relatively short but it is important in orienting the readers and explaining what you are intending to do. It also offers a contextualisation of the contribution your research question is making in both empirical and analytical terms. A standard rule is that an introduction is roughly 10% of the whole dissertation. Hence it should be no longer than 1000 words.

The methodology section (or chapter) discusses the methods used to collect and research your data; explains your research question and any sub-questions and justifies the choice of method; critically discusses the research process; and identifies issues that arose in the course of the research and how you managed these.

This may be a section of the introduction or a separate chapter. If you are doing your own research (ie producing original data rather than only using the findings of others) then your methodology should be longer (up to around 1000 words). If your research is mainly literature-based then your methodology probably does not need to be more than 500 words. Any discussion of methods should be informed by reading research methods texts.

Even in a literature-based dissertation there are methods worth discussing (beyond the basic discussion of the nature of the literature). For example, if you are undertaking a case study, you may want to organise your discussion of the case by theme. If so, then the methodology would be the place to explain how you came to choose the particular themes. Likewise, if you are measuring the effects of one thing on another, you would need to use the methodology section to explain how you are measuring the effects, which criteria you are using for any comparison (and why these criteria), and so on.

As with all details of your dissertation you are advised to discuss this matter with your supervisor.

Most dissertations have three main chapters. Every dissertation is different in how these chapters are divided up. However, the following elements would be expected in some form: theory/ideas/ideology that explains your study; research findings and data; analysis of the problem or phenomenon, application of theory to aid the analysis.

Chapters in a Literature-Based dissertation

The standard approach for the chapters in a literature-based dissertation is as follows:

Chapter 1: is normally a theoretical chapter that sets the framework for the thinking/ideas relevant to understanding your topic of investigation. It may also provide more detailed historical or explanatory context than the introduction did about the problem or issue you are addressing.

Chapter 2 : is normally a more empirical chapter, such as a case study, a discourse analysis. It should include your research findings and data. This chapter uses empirical material to drill down into the detail of your study and to illustrate the case or show how a process actually works. Tables and figures may be necessary. This section is usually restricted to the presentation of the collected data and normally refrains from drawing general conclusions, although you may flag conclusions that will be made and explained later.

Chapter 3: is normally where you would perform your analysis and discussion of the research findings (empirical material) You link your findings back to the theoretical literature here, and use the theory to discuss and explain the findings, thereby demonstrating or evaluating a certain line of argument (or hypothesis). The implications of the research findings for theory, policy and practice may be explored, if appropriate. The potential contribution to knowledge of your dissertation can also be explored. If dealing with a problem then you may want to include recommendations for change as part of your argument. You are expected to take opposing views into account and defend your argument against them.

Some dissertations may benefit from analysing the subject as you go rather than mainly in the third chapter. This is why we advise you to always talk your plans over with your supervisor! Also, don’t be afraid to trust your gut. Do take advise, but in the end, you are the expert on your own dissertation and what you produce and submit is your responsibility alone.

Literature Review: this follows the methodology. It provides a context for your original research. The literature review should evaluate and discuss previous research in the same field and locate your research within it, showing how your production of data will contribute to the field.

Research Findings: this chapter presents the findings of your original research. It is solely a discussion of the data you produced (e.g. the results of a survey, the findings of a detailed and systematic content analysis or discourse analysis of archival material.)

Analysis and discussion of Research Findings: this chapter performs an analysis on the data from the previous chapter. It links back to the literature review and evaluates your data in relation to other findings. It builds toward conclusions and makes an argument about the meaning of the data and what it tells us about your topic of inquiry. You are expected to take opposing views into account and defend your argument against them.

The Conclusion is usually around 10% of the whole dissertation. If your chapter 3 or Analysis chapter does not contain as much concluding material, then your conclusion may be on the longer side. If your argument was built up consistently throughout the whole dissertation or through the third chapter, then it may be shorter. A conclusion should always contain an overview of the dissertation and a summary of main findings and the argument. The relationship between aims, methodology, analysis and conclusions should be explored and made clear. Further implications and recommendations arising out of the research can be highlighted, including suggestions for further research.

Bibliography

A bibliography containing references to all books, articles, journals, web sites etc. cited in the text must be included following the final chapter.

REFERENCING

Your completed dissertation should be typed/word-processed in either Times New Roman or

Arial, font size 12pt, spacing 1.5 or 2 lines and with a left-hand margin of at least 3 centimeters. Your dissertation should contain the following sections:

1. Title page: your degree title, your name, the title of the dissertation, the dissertation module code: 6PIRS022W Politics and IR Dissertation, and word-count.

2. Acknowledgements (optional).

3. Abstract (optional)

4. Table of contents and (where appropriate) figures, diagrams and tables.

5. Introduction

6. Methodology

7. Main Chapters and sections (numbered)

8. Conclusion

9. Bibliography

10. Appendices (if appropriate).

11. Supervision Form (available at the bottom of this page and on Bb)

Pages must be numbered consecutively through the main text (starting with the introductory chapter, after the contents page), including those with diagrams and illustrations. Pagination of appendices must be continuous within each appendix but distinct from the main text and must be in Roman numerals.

Thorough editing is vital. A dissertation can be marred by poor editing and typos. Spelling mistakes, poor grammar and awkward, long-winded, convoluted sentences can undermine the meaning and impact of your presentation and will not be ignored in the marking of your project. Leave yourself plenty of time for editing. It is helpful to get someone else to proof-read for you, as they may identify points which are unclear as well as spot errors. You may also wish to read the dissertation slowly out loud as this will also help you spot errors and poor grammar. Both the spell-checker and the grammar checker are invaluable. If you apply these to your dissertation before you ask someone else to proof-read, you are likely to get more useful and valuable feedback on content and structure.

Good presentation includes both the layout and the accurate and economical expression of ideas. Start each chapter on a fresh page. Avoid one-sentence paragraphs (which are appropriate in newspaper journalism, not academic writing). At the same time, ensure that, while maintaining economy of expression, you have said what you intended to say and that your argument is consistent throughout.

1. You must submit your Dissertation electronically via Blackboard.

2. Remember to include the completed supervision form (found on Bb)

on the last page of your dissertation.

All coursework must be uploaded to Blackboard. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they follow the correct procedure for submission. If a piece of work is submitted incorrectly it may not be accepted by the Faculty or it will be subject to lateness penalties as detailed above. It the student’s responsibility to ensure that they can access their Blackboard account prior to the assessment deadline. Please note, email submissions are not allowed under any circumstances.

See Bb and the Module Handbook for the dissertation marking criteria and other advice.

FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING COURSEWORK

In addition to the information contained in the Handbook, which is specific to the assessment for this module, you need to be aware of DPIR’s general guidance and policies for coursework submission. This information is in the current version of the DPIR Course Handbook , and includes guidance on:

· Submitting your work

· Late submission

· Plagiarism and referencing

· Mitigating circumstances

· Word limits

· Essay grading

PLEASE FILL OUT AND ATTACH THIS FORM TO THE LAST PAGE OF YOUR DISSERTATION.

Student name:

1. Did the first supervision meeting to discuss the proposal take place by 29 October?

·  Yes

·  No

2. Did the research involve questionnaires or interviews?

·  Yes

·  No

If yes, was the ethics form discussed and submitted for review?

·  Yes

·  No

·  Not applicable

Was the wording of the questionnaire/interview schedule approved before the research was undertaken?

·  Yes

·  No

·  Not applicable

3. How many supervision meetings did you have in total?

·  2

·  3-4

·  more than 4

4. Please record the dates of supervision meetings:

5. Please record when you submitted written work to your supervisor on which you have received feedback.

Supervisor name

These books provide useful guidance on the researching and writing of your dissertation. You are advised to consult them, especially in case of doubt or difficulty. There are further useful sources on the Module Reading List

RECOMMENDED:

Parsons, C.J. (1973), Theses and Project Work, London: Allen & Unwin.

Smith, Karen et al (2009), Doing Your Undergraduate Social Science Dissertation, London: Routledge.

FURTHER READING:

Ball, Steve (2012), The complete guide to writing your dissertation: advice, techniques and insights to help you enhance your grades, Oxford: How To Books.

Bell, J. (2005), Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science, 4th ed., Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Blaxter, L. et al. (2006), How to Research, 3rd ed., Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Burnham, Peter (1997), Surviving the Research Process in Politics, London: Pinter.

Davis, M. B. (2007), Doing a Successful Research Project, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Franklin, M.I. (2012), Understanding Research, London: Routledge.

Greetham, Bryan (2014), 2nd ed., How to Write Your Undergraduate Dissertation, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Hart, C. (2001), Doing a Literature Search: A comprehensive guide for the social sciences, London: Sage.

Kane, E. and O'Reilly-de Brun, M. (2001), Doing Your Own Research, London: Boyars.

Lyons F & Wilson C. (1997), ‘How to Formulate a Student Research Project or Dissertation’, in Murray, Rowena (2006), How to Write a Thesis, Milton Keynes: OUP.

Sharp, J. et al (2002), The Management of a Student Research Project, 3rd ed., Aldershot: Gower.

Silbergh, David (2001), Doing Dissertations in Politics, (Routledge, London).

Walliman, N. (2005) Your Undergraduate Dissertation. The Essential Guide for Success, 2nd ed., London: Sage.

Politics and International Relations

School of Social Sciences

6PIRS022W.Y Dissertation in Politics and International Relations

BA (Hons) Your Degree Course Title 2020-21

Word count: XXXXX

Your Supervisor’s Name

Your Name

Your Student Number