Dissertation Review
Hi all,
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
@threeportdrift can you advise here?
Original post by dissertationfog
Hi all,
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
I wouldn't do this if I were you. For two main reasons: 1) you cannot trust someone you don't know with your work, and 2) they will not know the exact criteria your university uses to mark it.
Original post by dissertationfog
Hi all,
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
Hi @dissertationfog,
Firstly, congratulations on finishing your dissertation!
In terms of the ethics, you'd need to read your university's submission policy very carefully. Most universities allow for you to receive comment on a proportion of your work (to allow supervisors to see a proportion of it, for example) however if you're having the whole work professionally proofread and/or receiving external editorial comments on the whole of your work, I suspect you could run the risk of falling foul of academic integrity regulations unless you make a formal declaration that you've received assistance with your work.
As @PhoenixFortune has said, there's also the issue of who you would get to review your work. Most professional editors and proofreaders will be able to advise on spelling, punctuation, grammar, syntax etc but, unless they're a specialist in the field, they're very unlikely to be able to provide you with assistance with content. The so-called 'academic writing services' that advertise on the internet vary wildly in quality - and ethical integrity (sadly such services are all too often code for 'essay farm') - and unless they know your university's specific marking criteria, any comments they do provide could end up being of very little use to you in terms of improving the overall dissertation.
If you are keen to get a second pair of eyes on the piece before submission, is there another tutor within the university that you could approach? Maybe a personal tutor or someone who has taught one of your modules? If you explain to your supervisor how you're feeling - and that you'd just appreciate that additional reassurance - they may even be able to suggest or approach someone for you.
If you want a second pair of eyes on the essay from a proofreading perspective, is there an academic writing service within your university? Whilst they can't help with the content of your essay, academic writing tutors are equipped to provide comment on writing style, expression, spelling and punctuation, grammar etc.
Someone within your university will not only know the marking criteria but will also know what support they can/can't give you to ensure that you don't accidentally end up breaching any guidelines or procedures - plus you won't have to pay for their services either!
Hope that helps
Amy Louise
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by dissertationfog
Hi all,
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
My dissertation is due at the end of September (Master's), and I completed my final revision this week - a tad early.
My supervisor has been really helpful, and given me solid guidance. I asked directly if I should be happy and stop working on it - my fear was to keep tinkering with it and unpick all my work and end up in a mess. He also said I had probably put in more work than was necessary!
Where I am at is that I need to achieve a mark of 67 or more to achieve an overall distinction. Did ask the supervisor his opinion if what I have written is on track, and he seems to think so - but obviously he can't say with any certainty which I get.
I trust my supervisor, but I would be gutted if I missed the mark by a small margin (read some horror stories of that happening to others), especially if I didn't do any further work until submission date. Is it possible, or worth it, to get an independent review/grade of my work from somewhere? Either to give me confidence with my work or guidance to make changes.
Also, is this ethical? I.e. my work wont be brought into question or discredited
Thanks
I concur with @Keele Postgraduate and @PhoenixFortune here. Tempting thought it might be, I think you could easily stray into the territory of academic integrity with 'independent review/grading'. And, were he to suggest a load of changes, whose 'changes' would these really be?
You must be patient, and trust the judgement of your supervisor
Hi @Reality Check, @Keele Postgraduate, and @PhoenixFortune
Thanks for the assistance, all good points - which have convinced me to not look for an external independent review/grade. However, the comment about approach a prior tutor is an option. I have someone in mind, but they were always really tough on my work, which is both good and bad!
I will reach out to them, and see if they can help.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the assistance, all good points - which have convinced me to not look for an external independent review/grade. However, the comment about approach a prior tutor is an option. I have someone in mind, but they were always really tough on my work, which is both good and bad!
I will reach out to them, and see if they can help.
Thanks again.
Congrats on finishing early with your diss!! It might sound really cliché but have some time off it, then go back to re-read and review it. I find to be most critical of my work when I've spend time away from it (not just a day or so), read loads of other journal articles and go back to it on a day when I'm really clear-headed and academically-tuned. Personally, I learn best from modelling, then my academic writing is so on point.
P.S
And oh wow!! you are making me feel so guilty LOL, I'm only about 20% of mine and its due Sept too
P.S
And oh wow!! you are making me feel so guilty LOL, I'm only about 20% of mine and its due Sept too
I recommend against this - it could be considered at cheating! Happened to someone in my master’s class. You could ask your course mate’s opinions and offer yours in exchange
Trust your supervisor and your work. Try to compare it with other examples from your department. In the UK - academic language and structure seem to be the most important factors. Make sure your points are backed up. You’ll do great! Congratulations
Trust your supervisor and your work. Try to compare it with other examples from your department. In the UK - academic language and structure seem to be the most important factors. Make sure your points are backed up. You’ll do great! Congratulations
Send it to the academic learning development team at your uni. They check for style, expression, structure against the marking criteria which you should also send with your work. But don’t expect subject specific feedback
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by Aliyah1981
Send it to the academic learning development team at your uni. They check for style, expression, structure against the marking criteria which you should also send with your work. But don’t expect subject specific feedback
That sounds interesting, I will have a rummage around to see if I can find their contacts.
Ive put my work through ProWritingAid and PerfectIt, so its been proofed to within an inch of its life already
Sorry, been travelling. I concur with the advice above, in addition to the ethical issue of how much it reduces being your work every time it gets reviewed, you also face a dilemma of responsibility if things don’t go the way you hoped (or sharing responsibility if they do!).
Original post by dissertationfog
That sounds interesting, I will have a rummage around to see if I can find their contacts.
Ive put my work through ProWritingAid and PerfectIt, so its been proofed to within an inch of its life already
Ive put my work through ProWritingAid and PerfectIt, so its been proofed to within an inch of its life already
You will find them under library academic skills. They are part of your library department
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Is research for literature review classed as secondary data research?
- Struggling with literature review for dissertation
- dissertation- Systematic review
- Dissertation Stress
- My Dissertation Helpful Tips! 3rd year Criminology Student
- Can you write a dissertation a 10000 word dissertation in a day?
- Dissertation vs Journal Article, which should I choose?
- dissertation
- Dissertation about football
- Dissertation mess
- EPQ- Dafq is a Literature review???
- Can I finish a master's dissertation thesis in 15 days? (10000-15000 words)
- Dissertation pros and cons
- How often do professors check their emails on annual leave?
- HELP: University has cancelled my dissertation
- Need help with civil engineering dissertation based solely on secondary data.
- Dissertation help
- Cambridge Masters - Land Economy
- Missed offer
- Dissertation Structure
Latest
Trending
Last reply 1 week ago
Anyone know when we will hear back about ESRC DTP studentships?Last reply 2 weeks ago
Can I finish a master's dissertation thesis in 15 days? (10000-15000 words)Last reply 4 weeks ago
What is the simplest IT Job I could do to start my career in IT.Trending
Last reply 1 week ago
Anyone know when we will hear back about ESRC DTP studentships?Last reply 2 weeks ago
Can I finish a master's dissertation thesis in 15 days? (10000-15000 words)Last reply 4 weeks ago
What is the simplest IT Job I could do to start my career in IT.
