COP // Dissertation // Academic Conventions

Introduction
Should introduce what dissertation will be. Introduce A, B, C by looking at X, Y, Z with a result of 1, 2, 3.

Academic conventions are like an institutional framework for your work.
They structure and standardise.
They aspire to academic honesty.

Should be able to:
demonstrate critical knowledge of practice
apply theory to practice
analyse relevant research

Each academic discipline has its own specialist vocabulary which you will be expected to learn and use in your own writing.

Substance must be based on solid evidence and logical analysis and present a concise accurate argument.

Academic writing can allow you to present your argument and analysis accurately and concisely.

Aim for precision. Don't use unnecessary words or waffle. Get straight to the point. Make every work count. Don't imply uncertainty - 'could be this' 'may be this' potentially it could be'. Avoid repeating the same words. Avoid over-long sentences, aim for a mix of long and short sentences for variation and rhythm.

AVOID ABBREVIATIONS AND CONTRACTIONS

AVOID SLANG WORDS AND PHRASES

AVOID CONVERSATIONAL TERMS

AVOID VAGUE TERMS

Structure
Preliminaries - title / acknowledgements / contents / list of illustrations

Introduction - statement of problem

Main body - review of literature / developed arguement / results of investigation

Conclusion - summary of conclusion / overall conclusion of dissertation

Extras - bibliography / appendices

Havard Referencing
Author (date) Title Place Publisher

MILES, R. (2013) Why Referencing, Leeds: LCA Publishing

^^^^ follow this ^^^^

Quotes:

'Quote' (surname, year, page)

'I have no idea how to reference' (Miles, 2013:7)

Bibliography
- alphabetised
- separated into different sections
- list of images / illustrations - referenced.

COP // Dissertation // Methodology & Critical Analysis

Need to clearly evidence why you selected methods of gathering information and selecting evidence and why they are the most appropriate for your study.

This will make you appear to be in control and aware of research project.

A systematic way of sifting through information to get to the point.

Put in introduction.

What is organising principle and approach

Theories - these can help you decide upon the methods you use. Alternatively the material you find may suggest the appropriate theories.

Choose one theory that relates to the material you are looking at

1.Methods 2. Theories 3. Application

1. make decisions about how to collect and order information
2. choose a relevant theoretical stand point
3. apply these to your study
4. Explicitly outline this in the introduction. Address suggested failing in the conclusion.

Critical Analysis
Critical take on the research - evidence and logic

Evidence
What is the evidence for what you are saying.
Could you find more evidence to support your conclusions

Evidence
Reason
Logic
Argument

Triangulation - putting alternative theories against a point of another

VISUAL ANALYSIS - have within essay.