Recommended reading list
Burnham, P. et al (2008). Research Methods in Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Pierce, R. (2008). Research Methods in Politics: A Practical
Guide, London: Sage.
Silbergh, D (2001). Doing Dissertations in Politics – A Student
Guide. London, Routledge.
1.
Setting up your dissertation
After thinking about a topic,
then put it to the test.
Imagine that a stranger comes up
and asks “what are you doing for your dissertation?” How would you
frame your answer?
(a) I’m doing….
(b) I’m looking at….
(c) I’m trying to find out whether/to what
extent/how far
(d) I’m testing the validity of….
If your answer is in (a) or (b)
– think again. If (c) or (d) then it
suggests you are on the right track.
To guide you in the right direction, it will help if your dissertation
title is a question which you intend to answer. Titles which are a statement of facts or a general topic
usually will not help you to critically analyse or argue.
Dissertations which are largely descriptive, or have lots of data in
the main body of the work and little in the way of analysis, or are not well
written, will not gain a good mark and could run the risk of not passing.
The organisation of your
dissertation is a matter for consideration with your supervisor. For example, let us assume that there are to
be three chapters in the work Introduction/Aims
– Main body of the dissertation in three chapters – Conclusion
(a) Introduction and Aims:
A good introduction should achieve all of the following:
·
define the subject and indicate broadly its extent
·
state clearly the aims of the dissertation
·
provide background information which the reader will need (this might
include defining technical terms or words which are to be used in a special
sense)
·
indicate the structure of the dissertation (i.e. the purpose and
content of each chapter);
·
summarise the main argument(s) you are going to be making
(b) Main Chapters: Concentrate on writing one chapter at a
time.
In each chapter you should:
· start each chapter on a new
page. Give the chapter a title as well as a number
· introduce the aims/purpose of
the chapter, summarising its argument
· draw together conclusions from
the analysis so far
· Towards the end of each chapter
try to give a pointer towards the next one, thus giving continuity to the
dissertation as a whole.
The dissertation should also
include the following:
· a literature review. This can be
a separate chapter, or run throughout the main chapters (NB: You may not need having a separate literature review chapter in
the dissertation, which may break up the development of an argument. You should
talk to your supervisor(s) about this.)
· describe methodology used and
why
· present the data/evidence
(indicating sources);
· analyse and evaluate these
data/evidence;
Be wary about the excessive use
of footnotes. These can be helpful if you need to include detail useful for the
reader but not essential to the flow of the argument, but otherwise should be
avoided.
If statistical material is
included ensure that it is presented in the most concise way possible. Simple
numbers are often better dealt with in the text rather than a separate table.
Do not confuse the reader with pages of statistics – supplementary data can be
included in appendices at the end of the dissertation, but the use of these
should be sparing and relevant.
(c) Conclusion: This
should be kept reasonably brief and cogent as possible. It should do all or some of the following:
· summarise the discussion in the
main sections;
· summarise the findings and
inferences;
· make
recommendations/conclusions/predictions based on above;
· emphasise the significance of
the subject matter;
· consider the wider implications
of the study
APPENDICES,
where they are used, should be at the end of the dissertation and contain such
things as detailed information e.g. data, descriptions, interviews, survey
details, timetables of events or a detailed argument or exposition about
something in the text.
They should be
supporting some argument or theme in the text and not just nice to know. In most cases the reader does NOT have to
read them to follow and understand the main text. This also applies to footnotes which are
usually shorter and appear either at the foot of the page or the end of the
chapter. They can be a definition, quotation or any other bit of information
needed.
(d) Acknowledgements –
Here you should acknowledge those who helped you complete your dissertation,
plus any data sources which were specifically made available to you etc.
(e) An abstract of the
work. This should provide a synopsis of
the thesis stating the nature and scope of the work undertaken
(i) The purpose of the Abstract is to
provide a summary by the author of what the dissertation is about, what sort of
research backs it up and what findings it makes. The idea is that it can then be used in publications
listing research work completed, which will enable other workers in the same
Subject to identify what has already been done and to refer to the abstract to
see whether or not they should read the whole dissertation.
(ii) Therefore, the abstract must provide a
summary of the dissertation, stating (though not necessarily in this order and
without cross-headings):
§ the nature and scope of the work
undertaken
§ the contribution it makes to
knowledge of the subject matter
§ a brief statement of the
research method used
§ an outline of the main argument
and findings
§ a summary of any conclusions
reached
(iii) So that it can be readily reproduced the
Abstract must:
§ be on a separate side of paper
§ be typed on single spacing
§ not exceed 300 words
§ have the title and author’s name
as its heading
(iv) A good abstract is difficult to
produce. Try to avoid a
chapter-by-chapter summary; and try to give an overall impression of the work,
bearing in mind the purpose of an abstract.
The abstract has to be taken into account when the dissertation is
marked, so work on it.
(g) A contents page with
page references to chapters, sections appendices, etc.
(h) List of figures, tables
and plates (if used) and case and statute list (where used) with figures
and table numbers and page references separate lists for each.
(i) Main body of
dissertation. This should be sub-divided into logical sections, for
example – introduction, chapters (numbered and titled) and conclusion. Each
chapter should begin on a new page.
(j) Appendices (where
appropriate). Detailed lengthy tables and other statistics obtained during
the investigation should be given fully at the end, labelled “Appendix
1” etc.
(k) Bibliography
(l) Word count
(j) References
Thorough
referencing of your dissertation is extremely important. It provides evidence
of your research and provides justification for your statements. Both the
Harvard and British Standard system of referencing are acceptable in the
Politics and International Relations Subjects. The important thing is to pick
one and apply it correctly and consistently. It is important to ensure page
numbers are included in your references.
Be 1.5 spaced and with a
font no smaller than 12pt Times New Roman
Presenting coursework for assessment
Your dissertation must be presented in the following format:
❑
It must be
word-processed in 12 point Arial font and double-spaced
❑
All pages must be
numbered
❑
Margins must be
as follows: Top: 1 inch, Bottom: 1 inch (2.5 cm), Left: 1.25 inches, Right:
1.25 inches (3.2 cm)
Assignment length
The
dissertation should be 9,000 words long (+/-10% word count) exclusive of title page, contents page, acknowledgments, abstract,
appendices, footnotes and bibliography.
The length of an assignment is limited by a set number of words to
contribute towards the development of writing skills and to ensure all work is
assessed equitably. We therefore require you to complete your assignments
within the number of words specified in the assignment brief. This may be expressed as either a word range
(e.g. 2000-2500 words) or as an indicative limit (e.g. 2000 words).
The word count refers to the main body of the assignment and does not
include front cover, title page, contents page, executive summary, reference
list, bibliography or appendices. The word count does include headings, tables
and in-text citations, but not equations or diagrams. Appendices themselves
will not be marked. However, inappropriate use of appendices will be taken into
consideration when awarding the final mark.
The final word count should be clearly indicated at the end of your
assignment.
Where an indicative limit is expressed in the assignment brief (e.g.
2000 words), a 10% leeway, over or under the specified word limit, is in place.
For example, if an assessment asks for 2000 words then any submission between
1800-2200 words will be deemed acceptable.
Where a word range is expressed, there is no leeway above the maximum
wordage allowed.
Words that exceed the maximum allowed in an assignment brief that
contains either a word range or an indicative limit will not be marked. If in
doubt, you should discuss this with the Module Leader before submission.
