# Welcome to SMIRK Unit
8 - Writing your
dissertation

- Getting started
- Introduction and methodology
- The main content
- In conclusion
- Back to main index

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Getting started

The dissertation should be an in-depth piece of work which will show that you have mastered your subject. The format for a dissertation can vary by school, so always check your module guide! (It is on GCULearn).

#### How to structure a dissertation

These are just general notes on format, remember you should always check your department's guidelines!

- Title. The title should accurately reflect the nature of the topic and be brief and to the point. A subtitle may further clarify the study.
- Acknowledgements. These should also be brief. It is customary to acknowledge supervisors, internal and external support.
- Contents. Should be clear. Maximum of two pages. The purpose is to guide the reader round the dissertation.
- Abstract. The abstract gives a brief overview of the dissertation. The maximum word count should be 500 words. It should give a clear and coherent summary of aims, how the research was undertaken and main findings and or recommendations.

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SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# Introduction and
methodology

- Introduction - approximately 10 per cent of dissertation. Briefly describes other work in the area. Outlines general ideas. Suggests theoretical basis for your own work. Outlines and discusses your research question and the hypothesis supporting the intended research. Alternatively it states the main aim and objectives of the study. Sets out main themes. You may wish to write this chapter last.
- Review of the background literature - approximately 20 per cent of dissertation. This critically analyses the relevant theories, key arguments or perspectives and current research. This is a very important section which establishes your primary research aims.
- Design and methodology of the research - approximately 10 per cent of dissertation. In this chapter, you should explain and justify the research methods you have chosen to meet your primary reseach aims.
  - The methodology is the overall approach that underpins your research. You need to briefly explain this, showing you understand the meaning of quantitative and qualitative approaches.
  - The methods are the tools of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews. You should outline what the methods involve and explain why you have selected them.

More help is avialable from your Learning Development Centre. You can also look at this excellent flowchart on dissertation structure from Strathclyde University.

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######
SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# The main content

- Implementation of the research - approximately 15 per cent of dissertation. Factors that you may wish to consider:
  - Access and ethical issues
  - Sampling and selection
  - Applying techniques to data collection
  - Documents
  - Interviews
  - Observations
  - Questionnaires
  - Recording your progress
  - Possible problems re data collection
- Presentation and analysis of data - approximately 15 per cent of dissertation. Large tables should be placed in appendices. Clearly label records, figures or tables in the text and in appendices. This clarifies the relevance of the data to the reader. It outlines any challenges in obtaining data and explains how these issues were approached. Relate the findings to the research questions and discuss the results.
- Comment or discussion - approximately 20 per cent of dissertation. This chapter discusses the main findings, and relates these to the literature review. You should also explain and justify the similarities and differences to the theories or perspectves that you have outlined in your literature revew.

######
SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/

# In conclusion

- Summary and conclusion - approximately 10 per cent of dissertation. This chapter should summarise your main findings, central arguments, and relate them to your original hypothesis/es. Finally state the importance of your work and reiterate the main points.
- References. All references applied in the text.
- Bibliography. All background sources not referred to in text.
- Appendices Large tables and figures logically in logical order.

More help is available from your Learning Development Centre.

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######
SMIRK by Imperial College, Loughborough University and the University of Worcester, modified by Marion Kelt Glasgow Caledonian University is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gcu.ac.uk/library/SMILE/