Your Dissertation Journey Starts Here

• Purpose of the Dissertation:
  • Demonstrate the culmination of your research skills.
  • Transition from guided learning to independent inquiry.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge to a practical research question.

Key Timeline and Milestones

1. November:
   • Third-year students deliver their project presentations.
   • Presentations assess rationale, hypotheses, and methodology.
   • (Note: You will not attend these presentations.)
2. Mid-April:
   • Final dissertation submission deadline (6,000–8,000 words).

Third-Year Dissertation Overview

• What is Expected?
  • Conduct original empirical research, guided by a supervisor.
  • Engage in all research phases: design, ethical approval, data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Third-Year Dissertation Overview (cont.)

• Key Deliverables:
  1. Oral Presentation (10% of grade):
     • Short presentation of project rationale and plan.
     • Constructive feedback from supervisors and peers.
  2. Written Dissertation (90% of grade):
     • Formal submission in APA journal-style format.
     • Includes literature review, methodology, results, and discussion.

Core Learning Outcomes 1/3

• Research Skills:
  • Translate theoretical questions into testable hypotheses.
  • Design robust and ethical research studies.

Core Learning Outcomes 2/3

• Critical Thinking:
  • Identify gaps in existing literature.
  • Interpret data meaningfully in the context of theoretical frameworks.

Core Learning Outcomes 3/3

• Communication:
  • Articulate your findings effectively through writing and presentations.

How Your Mini-Dissertation Prepares You

• Skills Building:
  • Apply second-year research experience to larger, more complex projects.
  • Practice ethical and methodological rigor.
• Lessons Learned:
  • Reflect on challenges faced during your mini-project.
  • Use feedback to refine your research and writing techniques.

Tips for Preparing in Your Second Year 1/3

1. Choose a Potential Topic:
   • Start identifying areas of interest related to your studies.
   • Discuss ideas with mentors, tutors, or third-year students.

Tips for Preparing in Your Second Year 2/3

2. Engage with Literature:
   • Read extensively to familiarize yourself with research trends.
   • Identify key gaps or questions that inspire curiosity.

Tips for Preparing in Your Second Year 3/3

3. Master APA Formatting:
   • Practice structuring reports according to APA guidelines.
   • Familiarize yourself with citation and formatting rules.

Looking Ahead: Key Success Strategies 1/3

• Supervisory Guidance:
  • Build strong communication with your future supervisor.
  • Use meetings to seek feedback and refine your project plan.

Looking Ahead: Key Success Strategies 2/3

• Time Management:
  • Develop a timeline for data collection and analysis.
  • Set interim deadlines to avoid last-minute rushes.

Looking Ahead: Key Success Strategies 3/3

• Feedback Loop:
  • Treat November presentations (even if you don’t attend) as a model.
  • Be open to constructive critique for improving your work.

Motivation: Why This Matters

• A Transformational Experience:
  • Your dissertation is more than a grade; it is a demonstration of your growth as a researcher and thinker.
• The First Step to Expertise:
  • Skills learned here will set the foundation for your academic and professional pursuits.
• Your Journey:
  • Embrace the challenges and celebrate your progress!

What it means in reality

• This is yours and yours alone:
  • You will be an expert in your field.
  • This is likely the thing you will talk about in any interview or job application.
  • This is the thing that will make you stand out from the crowd - so be strategic in your choices.
  • This is a large-scale project that you will be able to talk about and demonstrate Project Management abilities.