Section outline

  • Self-directed study (term 1 and 2)

    The dissertation spans the duration of your degree. You should set aside a couple of hours per week during term 1 to work on your dissertation. The intensity of the dissertation work will increase as the academic year progresses, please make sure you plan for this in collaboration with your supervisor. Your Academic Adviser can also help you plan how you manage your workload. See the dissertation schedule to understand what dissertation work you should be doing and when.  

    Time management is an essential research skill. Managing your dissertation work alongside the completion of your modules during term 1 and 2 is a way of honing this key research skill.  

    Term 1 Dissertation workshops

    Over the course of term 1 the following three in-person workshops will be delivered. It is essential that you attend these workshops. They will help you to understand the requirements of the dissertation and how to develop, plan and conduct your dissertation research.

    • Workshop 1: Understanding the dissertation and getting started
    • Workshop 2: Turning a topic idea into a research aim and question
    • Workshop 3: Finalising and submitting your dissertation proposal and dissertation Q&A  

    Term 2 Dissertation workshop & writing groups

    In term 2, we will run one compulsory workshop for iBSc students:

    • Workshop 4: Working with your supervisor and completing your dissertation

    If you engaged with all other term 1 and 2 activities, by the end of term 2, you should have a clear plan for your dissertation including: a well-defined research question arising from a background literature review; research aims; research objectives; and a clear research methodology.

    Throughout term 2 you will continue to meet with your supervisor, and you can also join scheduled writing groups aimed at supporting with the writing process (see module schedule document).

    Note: your dissertation supervisor is more suited to give specific advice on your dissertation topic. These writing workshops are an opportunity to ask general questions and advice about your writing process, and an opportunity to write together and motivate each other using the Pomodoro technique.

    Dissertation supervision (term 2)

    The dissertation is an independent project. It represents your own work and is therefore your responsibility. This includes responsibility for organising meetings with your supervisor, agreeing an agenda, providing your supervisor with draft chapters in advance for feedback at mutually agreed times. 

    Supervision will therefore involve:

    • Initial guidance in developing and focusing your research question.
    • Signposting relevant scholarship on the topic.
    • Helping you to develop feasible work plan for the dissertation.
    • Advising you at strategic points to help you stay on track and alert you to any significant problems.
    • Providing critical inputs in your argumentation and analysis. 

    In addition to any necessary troubleshooting, supervision meetings should be utilised to seek critical feedback on the design of research and discuss choice of theory and the analysis and presentation of findings. 

    Each student is entitled to 10 hours of dissertation supervision from when their supervisor is allocated. It is up you and your supervisor to decide how you use these 10 hours.  

    If you are struggling with any personal problems that are making it hard for you to engage with your dissertation let you supervisor know. Most importantly let your Academic Adviser know of any issues you are having and get the support from QM Welfare if required.

    Recommended resources

    QM Library Services Academic Skills Centre.