Selecting and Refining your Thesis Topic Completing the Proposal Form Myles Keaveney 1 st October 2011

Main points  Strategy for Topic Selection  Criteria for Choosing a Topic  Initial Proposal  Narrowing Down your Topic  Arriving at the Working Title  Setting the Objectives  Dissertation Structure  Conclusion ? ? ?

Strategy for Topic Selection  Consult library –Shelves –Online  Consult lecturers  Arrange meetings with industry  Choose subject area  Narrow down research topic

Criteria in Choosing your topic  Topical  Realistic / Achievable  Specific and narrow  Contribution to knowledge  Personal ability and interest  Innovative and new  Data readily accessible

Initial Proposal  What is the topic, issue or area of interest?  Why are you interested in it?  What experiences, literature or other information has led you to this interest?  Are the data easily accessible?  Is the idea topical?  What topics were covered in previous theses?

Narrowing Down Research Topic Initial Idea! Narrow through thinking and reading Final focus of research The refinement process may require several stages to determine the final chosen topic Objectives

Arriving at the Working Title  Provides a focus for the research  May be refined as work progresses  Should be clear and to the point Bear the following in mind: Is the title precise? Is it clear? Are superfluous words or phrases removed? ‘A contribution to...’ or ‘Towards a theory of...’ are unnecessary ‘An analysis of the factors influencing the market for the letting of agricultural land in Ireland, with particular reference to economic and legal issues. ‘

Aim & Objectives Today ? The Future ? Overall Aim Strategic statement in a single sentence. Objectives Operational statements within the overall aim. Should relate to each other logically but be self sufficient.

Setting your Thesis Objectives The objectives should be expressed in such a way that the reader can determine whether the objectives have been achieved or not. For example:  To give a clear description of the principles of eCommerce and its current application in the Irish construction industry.  To examine the attitudes towards eCommerce in the Irish construction industry.  To demonstrate the use of eCommerce by reference to appropriate case studies in the construction industry. Top Tip Link specific objectives to specific chapters

Objectives  5 or 6 single-sentence objectives identified  Taken together they help to achieve your overall aim Use words like:  To critically review...  To compare...  To select a methodology...  To calculate...

Dissertation Structure Write a 12,000 word dissertation which typically comprises of the following parts:  Cover/acknowledgements/contents  Abstract  Chapter 1 – Introduction  Chapter 2 – Literature Review  Chapter 3 – Research methodology –Survey, interviews etc….  Chapter 4 – Results & Discussion – Case studies, interviews, survey...  Chapter 5 – Conclusion and recommendations  References  Appendices (a) (b) (c) (a)Literature review (b)Survey (c)Interviews (d)Case Studies (d) Breath of Study Depth of Study Note: The above is indicative only and should not be followed as a guide.

 Read  Consult last years dissertation titles  Talk to your tutor  Write an A4 page on your topic  Be innovative  Select to impress WHAT CAN I DO STRAIGHT AWAY?

Conclusion  Spend the time selecting the right topic  Be smart and link thesis to your course content  Meet your allocated tutor asap  Speak to other members of DIT staff and industry people  Carry out electronic search for literature (consult DIT Bolton St. library staff)  Time is of the essence!