SUGGESTED WORKPLAN FOR GIPS PROJ 415: DISSERTATION
Item / Main task to be done / Find time also to explore: / Interim deadlines1 / Background reading & undergo research ethics training. / Follow interesting ‘trails’, until one leads to a provisional question or ‘thesis’ / Attend ethics training*
2 / Find topic and title / More background and focused reading on your chosen aspect of the topic / 05 October 2017
3 / Preliminary literature reviewwhat has already been written about your topic? Seek out up-to-date resources, asking for help from library staff / Investigate methodological issues, implications of particular methods and ethical issues. Prioritize the automated referencing available on Microsoft Word. / Brief annotated references
4 / Submit a dissertation/project proposal, informed by your preliminary literature review.
Present project plan
Proof of ethics training* /
- Define a research problem and research objectives
- Undertake key literature review
- Propose a methodology
5 / Submit draft for Chapter 1: Introduction / Is the purpose and rationale for the study clear?
Clear set of objectives / research questions / 15 Jan 2018
6 / Submit draft for Chapter 2: Literature Review / Was the range adequate and suitable?
Has a critical review of the literature been adopted? / 29 Jan 2018
7 / Submit draft for Chapter 3: Methodology / Was research design and methodology discussed?
Was the approach appropriate? / 9 Feb 2018
8 / Submit draft research tools (E.g. Questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists, etc.). / Begin to conduct your research and gather evidence or data / 23 Feb 2018
9 / Gathering evidence or data
10 / Submit draft for Chapter 4: Analysis, Presentation & Interpretation of Data / Has the data been accurately presented and analyzed or are findings merely a description?
Have you applied appropriate theory?
Have you attempted to interpret their findings?
- Begin to analyse evidence or data
- Focus on adopting an appropriate academic tone and style, together with accurate, reader-friendly presentation of evidence
11 / Submit draft for Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations / Are conclusions reasoned?
Do they correspond with the objectives of the research?
- Revisit the research problem & draw conclusions from the findings
- Provide suggestions
- Recommend a way forward
- Recognize lessons learnt
12 / Meeting Supervisors / Progress report:
- Meet with Supervisor with Meeting Record Sheet
13 / Complete and submit draft dissertation. / Focus on adopting an appropriate academic tone and style, together with accurate, reader-friendly presentation of evidence. / 4May 2018
14 / Attend to supervisor’s comments / Last refinements of written style and presentation; final check of data and its presentation. / 11 May 2018
15 / Submit dissertation / Be professional / 25 May 2018
*Further information on ethical research training will be provided.