Dissertation projects Mary Clarkson
Agenda What is it What is it not What does it contain Literature analysis Interpretation/synthesis Conclusions/recommendations Examples Assessment References IMAT3451 Options day
What is it Literature review that is: Extensive Strategically significant Rigorously defined and implemented Includes well-thought-out recommendations and implications IMAT3451 Options day
What is it not Literature review that is: Small Limited in scope Includes primary research Dissertation project contains No fieldwork ie No questionnaires No interviews No observations No system development This is not an easy option IMAT3451 Options day
What does it contain Literature analysis Systematic examination of a problem or question Via an analysis of published sources Could include case studies, document analysis, meta-study Undertaken with a specific purpose in mind More than just a review of existing work Interpretation of what is found Synthesis into issues or major factors Recommendations and implications IMAT3451 Options day
Literature Analysis sources rather than Read critically and keep notes as you read Analyse and identify key points in each source Compare/contrast/categorise Note any emerging themes or issues IMAT3451 Options day
Interpretation Taking the emerging themes, issues and categories Expanding on them Tracing each through the sources Thinking about what it might mean if put into practice IMAT3451 Options day
Synthesis Building on the emerging themes, issues and categories Identify major factors that appear to affect what goes on Explore how the factors might help with the issues IMAT3451 Options day
Conclusions / recommendations Identify ways to take the insights forward Suggesting ways the insights could be applied in practice Predicting further issues the application might entail IMAT3451 Options day
For example… Review an organisation’s practices and procedures with a view to recommending significant technical, social and organisational change, drawing on both academic and management literature Review the importance of professional bodies to industrial practice with a view to recommending ways for professional bodies and organisations to engage effectively with students and recent graduates Review the case for enterprise-wide application systems, identifying implementation potential and issues to be considered IMAT3451 Options day
For example… Conduct a landscape study into the state of the art in ambient intelligence applications Carry out a comparative case study of privacy policies in government websites Conduct a meta-study of other people’s research into the application of ICT in the classroom, looking for how ICT use has evolved in the last 20 years Perform an ethical theory analysis on an emerging technology IMAT3451 Options day
Assessment Same assessment deadlines as for all other projects Initial deliverable in week 11 Contract/ethical form/plan Initial literature review Firm theoretical foundation Explanation and rationale for chosen research method Topics to be explored Evaluation criteria for each topic, with rationales Final deliverable Final complete report including a critical reflection section Viva IMAT3451 Options day
References and further reading Berndtsson M, Hansson J, Olsson B & Lundell B (2008) Thesis Projects, a guide for students in computer science and information systems. Springer. Jesson J, Matheson L & Lacey F (2011) Doing Your Literature Review: traditional and systematic techniques. Sage. Oates B ( 2006) Researching Information Systems and Computing. Sage. note this briefly describes research methods; it will not be sufficient on its own IMAT3451 Options day