How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports

Kathleen McMillan and Jonathan Weyers work within the University of Dundee’s Learning Centre and Academic Affairs Office respectively and have each been teaching for over 25 years and now specialize in supporting academic skills across both the arts and sciences.

Introduction

1. Tackling a dissertation or project report: how to make the best possible 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 statistics

Addressing issues of plagiarism, referencing amd ethics

17. Plagiarism and copyright infringement: how to avoid being accused of ‘stealing’ the ideas and 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 and 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

References and further reading

Glossary