How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports
By Kathleen McMillan & Jonathan Weyers
January 2010
Pearson Education
Distributed by Trans-Atlantic Publications
ISBN: 9780273726937 
286 pages, Illustrated
$26.50 Paper Original
Description
How to write great dissertations and projects provides all of the tips and techniques that a student is likely to need to choose, research, write and present dissertations and projects that will guarantee you top marks.
Contents
Introduction
1. Tackling a dissertation or project report– how to do your best right from the start
2. Choosing a dissertation or project report– how to decide on a theme for your investigation
Planning your research
3. Writing a proposal – how to structure a successful dissertation or research proposal
4. Time management – how to write your dissertation or project while balancing family, work and leisure
5. Planning for dissertations – how to begin your research and evolve a model for your writing
6. Planning for experimental projects – how to organise your efforts effectively
Finding and filtering information
7. Information literacy – how to make the best use of the library resources
8. Effective academic reading- how to read efficiently and with understanding
9. Analysing and evaluating source material- how to filter and select relevant material as part of the research process
10. Note-making from source material- how to create effective notes to support your dissertation and project research
Applying research techniques
11. Principles of quantitative research – how to obtain and analyse numerical information
12. Principles of qualitative research – how to obtain and analyse descriptive information
13.Experimental research and field visits – how to develop and apply your skills
14. Thinking critically- how to develop a logical approach to analysis and problem-solving
Working with Data & Numbers
15. Number crunching- how to solve problems in arithmetic and algebra
16. Interpreting and presenting data- how to understand & produce graphs, tables & basic stats
Addressing issues of plagiarism, referencing & ethics
17. Plagiarism and copyrightinfringement - how to avoid being accused of ‘stealing’ the ideas & work of others
18. Citing and listing references– how to refer appropriately to the work of others
19. Ethics in researching and reporting – how to follow good research practice
Writing a first draft
20. Structuring a dissertation- how to organise your writing within a standard framework
21. Structuring a project report- how to select and shape your content appropriately
22. Academic writing style - how to adopt appropriate language conventions
Editing, revising and presenting
25. Reviewing, editing & proof-reading- how to make sure that your writing is concise and correct
26. Exploiting feedback- how to understand and learn from what your supervisor writes on your work
27. Presentation of dissertations and reports – how to follow the appropriate academic conventions
Features
This provides the best preparation tool and support through the dissertation process, through valuable advice on:
- How to choose a winning topic or question and get started
- How to structure and plan your writing proposal
- How to undertake experimental work and field research
- How to read, analyse and understand information and take notes effectively
- How to interpret, analyse and present numerical & research data
- How to improve your academic writing style and use of conventions and vocabulary
- How to cite references and avoid plagiarism
- How to review, proof-read and present your dissertation or project for maximum impact & results