MA and MSc: Mapping, planning and structuring This workshop will:   Develop your understanding of the ‘pre-writing’, planning phase when producing a dissertation or project report Provide strategies to enhance mapping and organising potential content Identify common features of the way whole dissertations and reports are structured Offer tips on managing basic structural components of extended pieces of writing, such as chapters and sections Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Today’s plan Differences between mapping, planning and structuring The process of planning and structuring Mapping your research project Macro-planning: dissertation/report structure principles Micro-planning: planning chapters and substantive sections Micro-planning: handling parts and sub-sections All in one click 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

1.Difference between mapping, planning and structuring Mapping: laying out and connections Planning: ordered arrangement Structure: specific format 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

2.Mapping your research project Activity 1 and b Click for full concept map 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Macro-planning Introduction Details of your research and why the topic is of interest. Include aims and objectives; hypothesis and/or research questions; scope and justification of your research. Provide definitions and dissertation structure Abstract/ Background  Provide contextual information regarding the field and how your topic and research fits in to the landscape, and why you are the right person to do this research now. Literature Review/ Theoretical Perspectives Focus on the ideas, issues, arguments and findings in the literature, and the main debates, research and authors in the field. Do not focus on single items or authors unless there is good reason for doing so. Link and synthesis the main elements in the literature. Identify gaps in the literature and ways in which you can add value to the research (i.e. add something new). Explain how answering your research question/s adds to knowledge.  Methodology/ Research Design Give details of the method/s you have used and justify your choice/s as well as its/their strengths and limitations.  To what extent, if any, will you be able to generalise on the basis of your research? Discuss sampling, ethics, etc. Describe the data set you are using and relevant variables. Include analysis method/s, and a schedule of your procedures. Results/Findings Present data. Do not include discussion or analysis. Discussion Discuss how far your research has answered your research questions or ‘proven’ your hypothesis. If concepts or theories were applied during your study, discuss the implications of their effect on the findings. Relate the findings to literature to show what contribution your research makes to a given field, and conversely, what the literature can do to show the meaning of your results. Conclusion Shows the contribution your study has made to the literature. Evaluate to what extent your aims and objectives have been achieved. Include your reflections on the research process. Recommendations Include ideas for further research and suggestions for action in practice. 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Macro-planning 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Macro-planning Focus down 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Macro-planning Opening up 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Macro-planning Compromise 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 4.Macro-planning 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 5.Micro-planning: chapters and sections 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice 6.Micro-planning: Sub-parts and sub-sections 3. Literature Review 3.1. Introduction (includes structure of chapter/section) 3.2. Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice 3.2.1. Habitus and maintenance of attitude and action 3.2.2. Social Capital and decision to attend 3.3. Other sub-part/section Activity 2a and Activity 2b: Family tree and contents page Click for graphic Click for content listing Click for activities 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice References Abraham S.Fischler School of Education. (2015) Template for mixed methods designs. North Miami Beach: Nova Southeastern University. www.fischlerschool.nova.edu/.../app/.../Template_Mixed_Methods.doc Accessed 22 January 2015.   Hart. C. (2006) Doing a literature review. London: Sage Publications Ltd. Hart. C. (2007) Doing your masters dissertation. London: Sage Publications Ltd. LSE (2014) The dissertation. London: University of London. http://www.lse.ac.uk/socialPolicy/InformationForCurrentStudents/dissertationGuidelines.aspx Accessed 22 January 2015. Silyn-Roberts, H. (2000) Writing for science and engineering. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Study Advice. (2014) Writing up your dissertation. Reading: University of Reading. http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/Studyresources/Essays/sta- writingdissertation.aspx Accessed 29 January 2015. Wallace, M., and Wray A. (2011) Critical reading and writing for postgraduates. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd. 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice

Academic Skills Advice Service Location: via B0.23, Chesham Building Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk Website: www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills Phone: 01274 236849 This is a link to Academic Skills’ induction film. Check if they’ve seen it and if not, show it. If have, get an open discussion about anything going. http://www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills/induction/

Academic Skills Advice Any questions? Developed by Louise Livesey January 2016 20/09/2018 Academic Skills Advice