Any tips for getting a first in a dissertation?

Hi everyone!

I'm currently doing my dissertation at the minute for my third year research project. It's survey based and I'm starting my stats for the results this week.
I'm also currently writing my introduction and it is HELL. I really want to do well in it but I'm just finding it difficult (not that dissertations are supposed to be easy lol).
So just wondering if anyone has any tips for how to do well in it?

TYIA :smile:

Reply 1

uberteknik

21

Original post by Louiseee_

Hi everyone!

I'm currently doing my dissertation at the minute for my third year research project. It's survey based and I'm starting my stats for the results this week.
I'm also currently writing my introduction and it is HELL. I really want to do well in it but I'm just finding it difficult (not that dissertations are supposed to be easy lol).
So just wondering if anyone has any tips for how to do well in it?

TYIA :smile:

Look at other peoples dissertations. Get early feedback from your course tutors.

Reply 2

squeak

21

Original post by Louiseee_

Hi everyone!

I'm currently doing my dissertation at the minute for my third year research project. It's survey based and I'm starting my stats for the results this week.
I'm also currently writing my introduction and it is HELL. I really want to do well in it but I'm just finding it difficult (not that dissertations are supposed to be easy lol).
So just wondering if anyone has any tips for how to do well in it?

TYIA :smile:

find the mark scheme/objectives and follow em!

Reply 3

Pathway

20

Have an actual structure and read around your dissertation topic, ask your supervisor for more reading material and ask them lots of questions. I also read other people's dissertations from previous years and with different grades. Saw where people dropped/gained marks.

Came out with a 76. :h:

Reply 4

Louiseee_

OP

12

Thank you, much obliged 😂

Reply 5

Louiseee_

OP

12

Original post by squeak

find the mark scheme/objectives and follow em!

Thank you! I’m gonna hunt arpund for it today :biggrin:

Reply 6

Louiseee_

OP

12

Original post by Pathway

Have an actual structure and read around your dissertation topic, ask your supervisor for more reading material and ask them lots of questions. I also read other people's dissertations from previous years and with different grades. Saw where people dropped/gained marks.

Came out with a 76. :h:

Thank you! I’m defonotely gonna use my supervisors more. And well done that’s a fantastic mark :smile:

Reply 7

Louiseee_

OP

12

Original post by uberteknik

Look at other peoples dissertations. Get early feedback from your course tutors.

It’s due in December so early feedback would have been two weeks ago :frown:

but I’m going to send what I’ve done so far by next week

Reply 8

Flx1

8

I never seemed to do well at my dissertation modules for both my undergrad and post grad course so I'm prob not the best one to give advice, or maybe because of that I am :flute:

Anyway I ended up with low 50's both times and I think its down to the following:

1) Understand your topic / be interested in it - Sounds stupid but it you have no interest or understanding to start with then it only goes downhill really

2) Make sure you plan! - Plan the months that your going to be doing each section - if you're up to data analysis and you usually struggle with it, make sure you've given yourself loads of time to allow for mistakes / re-runs

3) Read loads of past dissertations - I've also since found out that sometimes looking at your supervisors work might help in terms of how they like to present their work - if they're the main maker then it could come in useful

4) If you get to pick your supervisor don't go for an ars*hole. It's easier said than done, especially if you've chosen a specialist subject, but having a friendly and supportive supervisor really helps

5) Critical evaluation - It's what they expect at masters level but will help get you the top grade at undergrad

Reply 9

pjm600

18

Original post by Louiseee_

Hi everyone!

I'm currently doing my dissertation at the minute for my third year research project. It's survey based and I'm starting my stats for the results this week.
I'm also currently writing my introduction and it is HELL. I really want to do well in it but I'm just finding it difficult (not that dissertations are supposed to be easy lol).
So just wondering if anyone has any tips for how to do well in it?

TYIA :smile:

To add on what's already been said:

Have a clear, logical, structure. Your dissertation should gradually build your argument before it is presented in your conclusion. The is hard when it's probably the biggest piece of work, so using a few sub-headings can be effective to plan the flow.

Concise and precise. You will have a word count to work to, but there should be no wasted words. Each word and sentence should play a role. In my experience, the only way to achieve this is to rewrite entire sections from scratch multiple times. This is very time consuming, so time management is essential.

Rigor. Again, in my fairly limited experience of giving feedback on others' bsc/msc dissertations, not many are rigorous, particularly in relation to the methodology. What is the overarching methodological framework? Why are you using this method? Are there other ways of doing this? Show you have given consideration to alternatives. I can't remember the expectation at undergrad but at least have a statement about quant vs qual.

Clarity. This was a big problem for me and took a lot of work to get around. Especially if you're in the social sciences, give your dissertation to someone who doesn't know your subject. If they don't understand it first read through, then it needs work.

Reply 10

Louiseee_

OP

12

Original post by pjm600

To add on what's already been said:

Have a clear, logical, structure. Your dissertation should gradually build your argument before it is presented in your conclusion. The is hard when it's probably the biggest piece of work, so using a few sub-headings can be effective to plan the flow.

Concise and precise. You will have a word count to work to, but there should be no wasted words. Each word and sentence should play a role. In my experience, the only way to achieve this is to rewrite entire sections from scratch multiple times. This is very time consuming, so time management is essential.

Rigor. Again, in my fairly limited experience of giving feedback on others' bsc/msc dissertations, not many are rigorous, particularly in relation to the methodology. What is the overarching methodological framework? Why are you using this method? Are there other ways of doing this? Show you have given consideration to alternatives. I can't remember the expectation at undergrad but at least have a statement about quant vs qual.

Clarity. This was a big problem for me and took a lot of work to get around. Especially if you're in the social sciences, give your dissertation to someone who doesn't know your subject. If they don't understand it first read through, then it needs work.

TYSM, this is so helpful!

Any tips for getting a first in a dissertation?

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