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. Â 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: Â 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
