Structuring Dissertation

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Structuring your MSc dissertation

Dr Peter Levin

(Teaching and Learning Centre, LSE)

June 2006


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Please note this fundamental point:

Your MSc dissertation is the outcome of

aproject.

You have to plan and manage your

project, then write it up and present it

as yourdissertation.

You arent just writing a glorified essay!


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A A Preliminaries

B What examiners like/dont likeG C The student/supervisor relationship

D Finding a subject area

E E Choosing a topic

F Exploring/reviewing the literatureN G Project methodology

H Materials and sources

D I Time management and planning

J Alternative dissertation structuresA K The writing process

L Avoiding accusations of plagiarism


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A. PreliminariesRegulations and guidance

Purpose

Marking scheme

Handing-in procedure

Limitations on subject and title

Supervision/Assistance

Access to dissertations written

by past students


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B1

What examiners like

Evidence of a well-thought-out project

Clear, appropriate methodology

Awareness of subtleties/

interconnections

Appreciation of wider context

Use of relevant literature

Independent critical thoughtThoroughness

Clear dissertation structure


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B2 What examiners dont like

Anecdotal evidence

I think, I believe

Straying outside your discipline

Absence of positively likeable

qualities


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C. The student/supervisor relationship

Rights and expectations; responsibilities

See Code of good practice for taught masters programmes:

www.lse.ac.uk/resources/schoolRegulations/Default.htm

Observe your supervisor

Formulate your tactics


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D. Finding a subject areaSomething youd like to explore?

Something topical?

New data or contacts you could use?Case study to compare with?

Literature youre critical of?

Personal experience to use?

International comparison?


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E. Choosing a topic: checklist

Is it specific enough?

Is it narrow enough?Have you a clear aim?

Have you a feasible approach?

Will you have an interesting conclusion?

Are you enthusiastic about it?


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F. Exploring/reviewing the literature

Track down potentially useful publications

Start compiling a bibliography and

collecting publications

Dont start writing your literature review

too soon


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G1 Project methodology:A

re youInvestigating/describing/aiming to explain

a phenomenon?

Aiming to test a theory, model, law or

hypothesis?

Aiming to test a proposition or

philosophical argument?


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G2 Project methodology: Are you

Aiming to evaluate a policy, proposal,

action or technique?

Aiming to explore and resolve an issue or

problem?

Discussing a theme?

Arguing a thesis?


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H. Materials and sources

Raw materials

Writings (the debate)Use the library

Use the internet

Extract knowledge from materials


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I. Time management and planning

Check your resources

Plan your work

Produce your first outline

Set realistic cut-off date for project work

Allow for 11th-hour rethink


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J. Six draft outlines

Introduction

**

*

Discussion

Conclusion


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J1 Draft outline: desk researchIntroduction

Methodology

Materials

Findings

Discussion

Conclusions


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J2 Draft outline: field researchIntroduction

Literature review

Case study 1

Case study 2

Discussion

Conclusions


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J3 Draft outline: testing a theoryIntroduction

Literature review

Description of theory

Testing of theory

Discussion

Conclusions


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J4

Draft outline: evaluative study

Introduction

Overview of the literature

Exploration

Evaluation

Discussion

Conclusions


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J5

Draft outline: theme

Introduction

Aspect 1

Aspect 2

Aspect 3

Discussion

Conclusions


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J6 Draft outline: argument

Introduction

The literature

Construction of thesis

Corroboration of thesis

Alternative theses: their defects

Discussion

Conclusions


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K1 The writing process

Producing your first full draft and

finalizing your outline

From writing as thinking to writing as

assembly job

Creating a linear presentation

Your first draft


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K2 The writing processImproving your draft

Build on your first draft

Synchronize and tidy up

Make your dissertation reader-friendly

Write good English

Check your style


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K3 The writing process

Guides to writing

W. Strunk & E.B. White,

Elements of Style

(4th edition, Longman 1999)

Joseph M. Williams

Style: Toward Clarity and Grace

(Univ. of Chicago 1990)


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L.A

voiding accusations of plagiarismCite your sources

Incorporate quotes into your text correctly

Choose the most suitable referencing style

List your sources correctly

Resist temptation

Beat the witch-hunt!See

www.student-friendly-guides.com/plagiarism/index.htm


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Excellent dissertations!by

Peter Levin

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Structuring Dissertation

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