DISSERTATION STUDY GUIDE2015-2016

Contextual and Critical Studies Module AA 4310

BA (Hons) Fine Art BA (Hons) Design

KEY DATES:

Submission of Draft Dissertation:Monday, 30th November 2015

Feedback on Draft (by email): Friday 18th December 2015

Submission of Final Dissertation: Friday 4th March 2016

What is a Gray’s Dissertation?

A Gray’s Dissertation is an extended piece of writing, based on independent research and critical enquiry. It should make meaningful links to your studio practice.

It should be structured to develop a clear line of thought (an ‘argument’) in response to a central research question and arrive at a confident conclusion.

It should demonstrate your ability to carry out advanced academic research, using both primary and secondary research sources.

Finally, a Gray’s Dissertation is an opportunity to create a unique visual and textual document. It should be considered an extension of your overall creative practice and a reflection of your personal creative identity.

Remember …

A Dissertation is part of what makes an HONOURS degree. It is a unique opportunity to produce something interesting, creative and original.

Enjoy the journey!

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1. Dissertation Supervision

Selecting a Topic and Finalising a Research Question

In Stage 3 you were asked to investigate themes that might form the basis of your Dissertation. Some students will now have identified a topic for research and begun the process of formulating a research question. Do not worry if you have yet to finalise your topic. It is not unusual for students to be undecided at this stage. The aim of the supervision programme is to ensure that students have support from an assigned supervisor to establish a clear direction.

Supervision Programme

Following the initial briefing, you will be assigned a supervisor for your Dissertation based on your topic theme. You will then meet regularly with your supervisor in small study groups from Week 2.

There will be 5 group sessions over the academic year, 1 individual tutorial (one-to-one) scheduled by your supervisor, and 1 additional tutorial (one-to-one) which you can request by emailing your supervisor.

Details of the supervisor you have been allocated, and your study group, including the time and location of your study groups, will be posted on Moodle.

Semester 1 Supervision Programme

1st Study Group (Week 2) – see Moodle for times/datesAt the first study group you will discuss and share your initial ideas. Some students will already be clear about their research topic; others will still be undecided. Come prepared to discuss your area(s) of interest. If you have already identified some key texts, bring them with you.

At the end of this session you will sign up for a one-to-one tutorial with your supervisior.

One-to-one Tutorial (Weeks 2 or 3)This tutorial is to help you develop a specific research direction and question. Following this tutorial you are expected to undertake in-depth reading and significantly develop your research.

2nd Study Group (Week 4)

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For this session you return to your study groups. Come prepared to discuss and share information on your research to date – e.g. key texts, good journals, possible primary sources etc. At this point in the research you should be able to identify your research approach and have started your primary research. Continue to research following this session and begin to outline a structure for your draft. The earlier you begin to write, the better.

3rd Study Group (Week 6)Bring an outline of your Dissertation for discussion. This might include: a potential introduction, a short summary of the proposed contents of each section/chapter, a brief summary of your conclusions to date, etc. Begin to write if you have not already done so.

Harvard Referencing Briefing (Week 6)Wednesday 4 November 12.00-1.00 - H223

4th Study Group (Week 8)This is your final study group session before submitting your Dissertation draft and an opportunity to deal with any questions.

Semester 2 Supervision Programme

5th Study Group (Week 1)This is your final study group session before submitting your final Dissertation. Use this as an opportunity to discuss issues raised in your draft feedback, your presentation, and any other final concerns.

One-to-one Tutorial (Upon request - email your tutor)This will be your final opportunity to meet with your supervisor to discuss any issues raised in your feedback and resolve any outstanding concerns.

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2. Draft Submission

The Draft is an opportunity for you to receive feedback from your supervisor prior to the submission of your final Dissertation. Its purpose is to ensure that you are ‘making effective progress’ towards completing your Dissertation and highlight any issues to be addressed.

You will not receive a grade for your Draft, instead feedback will be given on where improvements can be made.

Draft deadline: Monday, 30th November 2015Use the drop-box in the Gray’s foyerNote: to allow staff time to write feedback there are no extensions to the draft deadline.

Draft format:Aim to submit as complete a draft as possible. If you realise there are gaps in your submission, hand in what you have completed and outline your plan for what still needs to be completed.

Draft Feedback:Feedback will take the form of a summary sheet using traffic light colour coding: GREEN: keep going - making effective progress, AMBER: be alert to issues still to resolve, RED: Pause and reflect, significant issues to resolve or significant work to complete. You will find a copy of the form on Moodle.

Your feedback form will be emailed to on Friday December 18 th . Contact your tutor if you do not receive your form by this date.

3. Final Submission

Friday 4th March 2016 by 4.00pmUse the drop-box in Gray’s foyer

Students on the Dyslexia List are allowed a 1-week extension.

You need to submit:

One paper copy of the final Dissertation

One digital copy of the final Dissertation via the Moodle Drop Box

One ‘All My Own Work’ declaration form (form on Moodle), attached to paper copy of final Dissertation

One paper copy of your final Turnitin report, attached to

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paper copy of Dissertation.

4. Turnitin

You are required to run your work through Turnitin (on Moodle) to check that you have referenced properly.

We have not set a percentage limit, however you should use the Similarity Index in the report to see where similarities have been found and check that all matches have been referenced properly.

Note: if you use Turnitin more than once the second report can take up to 24 hours to be returned to you.

5. Presentation Requirements and Word Length

Students should consider all aspects of the final presentation - visual and textual. Remember that your Dissertation is an extension of your creative practice and should reflect your personal visual language in the same way that your studio work does.

Students might want to consider alternative formats better suited to their own strengths and abilities or studio practice. This is encouraged. Use the study group sessions to discuss your ideas.

A selection of past Dissertations can be found in the RGU library.

Sequence of Text:

1. Title Page: Title of your Dissertation; Your name; Degree course and subject; University and School, (i.e. Robert Gordon University, Grays School of Art); Year of submission.

2. A Table of Contents: (with page numbers) This might include: Introduction, Chapter 1, Chapter 2…. Conclusion, Appendices, References, Bibliography, etc.

3. Main Text: The contents of your main text will vary with your approach and final format, but should follow a logical sequence. An Introduction and Conclusion are standard and the main body of the work can be divided into chapters or sections.

4. Appendices: (optional) Appendices might include supporting information or materials additional to the main text – e.g. information from questionnaires or surveys, transcripts from

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interviews, copies of correspondence, studio diaries etc. They can be divided into Appendix 1, Appendix 2, etc.

5. Reference List: Use the Harvard format to reference all sources in your text (see Library link on Moodle for details).

6. Bibliography: List all sources which have contributed to your Dissertation but are not directly referenced. Use the Harvard format. The (see Library link on Moodle for details)

7. List of Illustrations: List the sources of all your illustrations (images and diagrams) using Harvard format. Label all images within your text with a number. (e.g. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 etc.).

Ensure that your text is visually accessible to your reader by using a legible font and reasonable font size (e.g. 11-12 point). Allow sufficient line spacing for legibility.

Required Word LengthThe required word length, including quotations but excluding Appendices, Footnotes and Bibliography, is 6,000-8,000 words.

6. Primary and Secondary Research

Your dissertation should include both Primary and Secondary research sources appropriate to your topic. All sources must be referenced using the Harvard referencing format (see library link on Moodle).

Primary Sources:Original source materials (ie: material not found in published books).

Examples: Information and opinions obtained by interviewing a practitioner

whose work you will discuss in your evaluation Visits to a studio or gallery exhibition which provide direct

experience of the work you are researching A structured investigation using questionnaires and a well chosen

population sample, undertaken to inform your research or support your conclusions

Personal letters, perhaps from archives, which confirm attitudes or events relating to a specific person or period

Newspapers or magazine articles which might indicate beliefs, prevalent practices or forms, from a specific period

Secondary Sources: Secondary sources are published material that interprets and analyses primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the actual event.

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Examples: Books, journal or magazine articles, histories, criticisms,

commentaries, encyclopedias, websites 

7. Assessment

The Dissertation forms 25% of the final fourth year overall mark (your studio work comprises 75%).

It is first marked by your supervisor and then second marked by another supervisor following RGU procedures. In the event of a discrepancy in marks, a third internal marker will adjudicate. Finally, an external examiner is used to moderate the standards of marking and to report on these to the Examination Board.

Grading Criteria Used to Mark Dissertation: Approach, structure and presentation 25% Research, references and format 35% Critical Awareness & argument 40%

The full Stage 4 Assessment Criteria can be found on Moodle

8. Academic Misconduct

The three main types of academic misconduct which can occur at University, these are plagiarism; collusion and personation. Academic misconduct is unacceptable and will result in a full investigation with appropriate penalties imposed if guilty. You can find the University Policy on Academic Misconduct on: www.rgu.ac.uk/file/a3-section-2-student-misconduct-procedure

9. Ethical Considerations

You should ensure that your research does not cause harm to the environment or any individuals involved, and that you consider the dignity, safety and well-being of all participants. You can find the RGU Research Ethics Policy at: www.rgu.ac.uk/pals/school-info/ethics

10. Extensions and Extenuating Circumstances

You will find details about the RGU extensions and extenuating circumstances policy at: www.rgu.ac.uk/about/academic-affairs/quality-assurance-and-regulations/academic-regulations-student-forms

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Students on the Dyslexia List are allowed a 1-week extension.

11. Additional Writing and Study Support

The RGU Study Skills and Access Unit provides additional writing and study support for Gray’s students. While they are not subject specialists, they have a great deal of expertise and experience in teaching and supporting students across the university to develop their academic skills.

You can find out more about the services they offer by looking at their webpage. As well as individual appointments and group learning sessions, they also offer a fortnightly ‘drop-in’ session at Gray’s, which is available to all students. Check your email for information about times and dates.

You can also find a range of their online self-study resources on their Moodle page.

12. Library Support

The RGU library offers weekly classes and drop-in sessions on all aspects of library research including: finding information in the library, using online databases, Harvard referencing, evaluating your research etc.

All information can be found on the library Moodle page.

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