EBOOK: Succeeding with your Master's Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook

Book excerpt: What do I need to do to write a literature, context or systematic review? How do I explain my research methods and write up my findings? Help! How do I prepare for a viva? This essential handbook carefully guides the student through the entire dissertation process from start to finish, offering clear, straightforward and practical advice. Biggam uses clear illustrations of what students should do- or not do - to reach their full potential, helping them to succeed with their dissertation and avoid common pitfalls along the way. Thoroughly updated, this popular book takes the student from research proposal, through literature reviews, research methods, and writing up, referencing and avoiding plagiarism, through to submission and marking, featuring: • New chapter on ‘Introducing the Master’s Dissertation’ focusing on the skills you need to succeed • New material on Contextual Review for computer science, art and performance art students • Updated material on the benefits of using university library databases and social media in research • Expanded advice on the emotional journey and where to find assistance and support • New Research Methods chapter for art, drama and computer science students This is key reading for any social science, business, humanities or healthcare student required to complete a dissertation as part of their studies. It will also prove useful for undergraduate students considering postgraduate studies and for supervisors facilitating dissertation supervision. "This book is a really excellent and friendly guide through the Master’s dissertation process. It is clearly and engagingly written and easily understandable to a student. It also guides students gently from a general understanding in the first chapter, down to a significant level of detail in each subsequent chapter with worked examples and relevant practical tips. It also usefully highlights common mistakes. The book presents a realistic view of undertaking a Master’s degree, presenting the generic skills needed for success and acknowledging that life outside the dissertation is complex, messy, and can sometimes get in the way! It is particularly useful and relevant to my students as, unlike many other books on this topic, it does not ignore practice-based forms of research, in fact the book includes a substantial chapter on practice-as-research in the creative disciplines. This chapter includes software alongside creative arts and is therefore particularly suitable for inter- or multi-disciplinary postgraduates using technology to enhance their existing understanding of a subject (or their practice) through research. I also really like the fact that the chapter on Abstracts is at the end (where it belongs!) and that students are explicitly told to write it last – no matter how many times I tell my students this, it is a common and recurring mistake!" Daisy Abbott, School of Simulation and Visualisation, The Glasgow School of Art, UK "The dissertation component of a Master’s programme can be very daunting for students. In this book John Biggam demystifies both the concept, and process of a dissertation. Biggam clearly explains the different parts of a dissertation, and offers a pragmatic structure which can be used by students to help frame their ideas. Also, the guidance given in the book is written in a reassuring tone which is never patronising. The summary on good practise in dissertation writing should be particularly useful during the planning stage, and as a final check for students." Dr Donna Murray SFHEA, Head of Taught Student Development, Institute for Academic Development, The University of Edinburgh, UK