Identify and refine your research thesis
Duration: 5% 1.5 days
Details.
The main purpose is to identify the research direction of the Dissertation, the content of the research, study the writing requirements of the Dissertation, and the reference suggestions given by your teacher.
Tips.
1, first of all, start with the resources and materials provided by the school as well as the teacher, there will be surprises as well as gains.
2、Find the dissertations of the seniors, see how they are written and what they are related to.
3, learn to use literature management tools, such as Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote, on the one hand, in the later reading and writing need to use, on the other hand, the use of literature management tools for internal search will be very convenient.
4. Consult your tutor and classmates.
5、Start a simple search for information, their own prejudgement is more suitable for writing which area.
6, don’t forget, the content of the selected topic must pass the tutor!
Second, further refine the research topic and research methodology
Time: 5% 1.5 days
Details.
In this step, you need to design a good preparation for how to carry out data collection and analysis, the research method is not a mouthful, is including data collection and analysis of specific steps. Research methods are not just words, they are the steps involved in collecting and analysing data.
Different research methods can lead to very different conclusions, so be careful what you decide! You need to think about what the internal logical framework of your Dissertation is.
If you have not been exposed to statistics before, you may need to start with the theoretical methods of statistical analysis related to the research topic, such as quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, hypothesis testing, t-tests, etc.
What situations and what theories are they adapted to respectively.
Then, you can decide what research method to use according to your research direction, research background. This is also something that must be approved by your tutor.
Then you need to learn some statistical analysis software, such as the famous SPSS or SAS for the next practical work~.
Time Management
1, to give more generous time, inefficient time to do less, efficient time to focus more, do not waste time meaninglessly.
Let’s say, would rather work 4-5 hours a day in the most efficient time, do not spend more than 10 hours of distraction to waste time. If you really can’t concentrate, you can pull away for a while and then go back.
2. Focus for at least 5 minutes a day.
Giving ample time is not for procrastination. Rather, it is to help yourself be more labour-intensive. Forcing yourself to focus on essay writing for at least 5 minutes a day is definitely more than 5 minutes once you actually get going.
3, more clear and detailed daily plan, every morning set today’s task, according to the plan.
Finding literature and submitting a proposal
Time: 15% 4.5 days.
Details.
The proposal usually includes the title of your dissertation, an introduction, a literature review, and a description of your proposed research design and methodology.
This basically covers the first three parts of the dissertation, and there are certain requirements for writing a proposal, so please be sure to check the guidelines and consult your supervisor.
Collecting and Analysing Data
Duration: 30% 9 days
Details.
Once the proposal has been submitted, the data will be collected and analysed according to the research methodology we have decided on. This step is a practical process.
Strategy.
How to conduct data collection and analysis is in step 2 [Research Methodology]. Step 4 focuses on practice.
Some general guidelines.
Determine if the research methodology is “ethical”.
Pilot study to test the feasibility of the methodology before proceeding to complete data collection.
Keep a comprehensive record of the data collection and analysis process.
For example, time and direction of the study, revision logs, etc.
V. Complete the Results and Discussion
Completion of Results and Discussion. Update the Introduction and Literature Review.
Duration: 25% 7.5 days
Details.
Once the data has been analysed and the results are available, provide an overview of the process of analysing the data, a discussion of the results, and finally the Results. The Introduction and Literature Review will be checked and updated.
Strategy.
Results.
This section should state your findings without interpretation. Present facts, not additional explanations. Pay more attention to logical objectivity and rigour.
Revise the draft and prepare for the graduation defence
Time: 15% 4.5 days
Details.
The long and painful process of revising and rewriting the draft is about to begin. Dissertation defence, this thing, to say simple is simple, to say difficult is difficult. Simple in the defence ppt mainly the key content of the dissertation can be copied, all you have to do is to state your thesis.
But the difficult thing is also difficult in this point, public speaking, facing a variety of questions, if the elimination of nervousness, calm and not lose grace to answer, you need to exercise.
Tips.
Revision and embellishment should be first big and then small, first look at your paper in the structural framework. On the way of exposition, logic, there is no problem, do you need to adjust the major changes. Then come back to the words and sentences. Finally, make adjustments to the grammar and formatting. You can make good use of the tools.
Finish and submit the paper
Time: 5% 1.5 days
Details.
After the graduation defence is completed and passed, the tutor may notify you that the thesis will be revised to a certain extent, and after the revision, the tutor also feels that there is no problem, then you can finally submit the thesis and wait for the final grade, and finally graduate!
Tips.
Please refer to the Dissertation Guidelines given by your tutor in detail to evaluate and revise your dissertation. Submit your dissertation as required. Be sure to pay attention to the submission format requirements.
