MSc Dissertation
Introduction to the module
Major Part of the Masters Programme
Counts for one Must be
third (60 credits) of ‘distinctive’ if you 600 notional study
your Masters are aiming for a hours (probably
degree distinction (>=70% more)
overall)
Is your opportunity Builds on your
to show what you expert subject
can achieve on an knowledge, as well
individual basis as PGRM module
Module Aims
To support and Allow the student to demonstrate a mastery of a specific area of
aid students in the subject
carrying out an
independent
project. The Undertake a concentrated review of literature in a chosen subject
aims of the area
Dissertation
are: Apply knowledge and expertise gained during the taught element
of the programme
Facilitate the exhibition of deep research and technical skills
Learning Outcome
Demonstrate a professional and critical understanding of research methodologies in
computing
Show originality and professionalism in the application of subject-specific knowledges
Critically evaluate complex information from a variety of sources
Understand how the bounds of subject-specific knowledge are advanced through
research
Structure and write a major piece of academic work
Progression to Dissertation
You must complete the taught
part of the course before Once you do progress, you’ll
progressing to your be working on it full-time
dissertation Research Methods directly • But it’s a good idea to start NOW
• But you can trail one module …
underpins dissertation work
• Except Postgraduate Study and Research
Methods
Research Proposal
Research Proposal
A concise and
Submission:
coherent
Check your
summary of your Approx. 3000
assessment
proposed
submission point
research
Assessment
Dissertation
(submission: Please check assessment Submission point)
Option 1 – Product based
(the ‘standard’ dissertation)
• Propose a product e.g. a software application, research it, identify a solution strategy (methodology),
analyse, design, implement, test, deliver …
• 15,000 – 20,000 words
Option 2 – Research based
• Identify a research question, hypotheses, methodology, undertake the research study to a professional
standard, present/analyse/discuss the results, answer the research question.
• A paper of publishable standard e.g. for an appropriate conference or appropriate Journal
• 17 pages
Choose your Dissertation
It’s your dissertation, so it’s up to you what you do
• Look for something that interests you, that you know you are good at, and
with novelty/originality
However of course, there are constraints:
• It needs to be pitched at the right level
• must have a ‘Master’s’ level challenge
• must be relevant to your award
• must be feasible within the timeframe
• The University must be able to resource it
• supervisor expertise, equipment etc.
The Proposal
Before you create/write the Dissertation,
you must develop a written proposal
• This is formally assessed (10% of dissertation
module)
• Use the academic staff to help you get there
• There is a formal deadline (Moodle submission)
• There is a structure you should follow
Supervisor List
* Please refer the additional documents
provided on Moodle for information
regarding the topic and potential research
supervisor.
Information about the
Dissertation
How and who will be marking my
dissertation?
Dissertations are assessed by two lecturers and are also reviewed by the
external examiner.
Your dissertation will be marked by your supervisor and then by a second
marker who will agree on a provisional mark for consideration and
confirmation by the Postgraduate Academic Board.
In exceptional circumstances where a mark cannot be agreed upon, an
arbitration process may be invoked where work requires marking by a
third reader.
Assessment…
Avoid plagiarism and collusion
• Do not present some-one else's work as your own work
• Do not copy paste content form various internet sources
• Be careful about paraphrasing, using thesaurus and translators to circumvent ‘copy paste’
• For individual tasks, do not work with other students and submit same work or very similar work.
Make use of the support sessions
• Academic Skills
• Language sessions
• Review options
Use other relevant support mechanisms that are in place
• Remember the Learning Skills department, they are here to support, but not to do the work for you.
• More details about learning skills and their support, using resource finder, how to avoid plagiarism and
how to reference can be found on Computing Hub under Learning Resources and Skills
• IEEE referencing guide can be found on Computing Hub under the section ‘How To Do’
Word counts: what is included or excluded?
Word limits apply to the main text,
quotes, footnotes
• 15,000 – 20,000
The Reference List is not included in the
word count
The Appendices are not included in the
word count
What are the Appendices?
“An addition subjoined to a Examples can include:
document or book, having • your research instrument (e.g.
some contributory value in questionnaire or interview protocol),
filmography, translations, ethical
connection with the subject clearance letters, discographies,
matter of the work, but not primary statistical data and software
essential to its code.
completeness”.
Referencing Style
IEEE
In-text citations List of References
…from the PIC programming manual [5]. [1] D. Sarunyagate, Lasers. New York, NY: McGraw
… or as shown by Faraday [3] in his work on… Hill, 1996.
In their research, Woods, et al. [6] argue… [2] V. Hill, The Structure of Metals, 3rd ed. Oxford,
There are several recent studies [2, 7, 12] UK: Pergamon Press, 1998.
suggesting that… [3] J. U. Duncombe, “Infrared navigation – Part I: An
assessment of feasibility,” IEEE Trans. Electron
Devices, vol. ED-11, pp. 34-39, Jan. 1959.
Bibliography
Essential • Students’ essential texts will be self-prescribed and in the area of their chosen topic of research. More
general reading regarding research methods and the dissertation process is detailed below.
reading:
Other • Hart, C. (2004), Doing Your Masters Dissertation (Essential Study Skills), SAGE Publications Ltd.
• Madsen, D.L. (2005), Researching Information Systems and Computing, SAGE Publications Ltd.
• Oates, B.J. (1991), Successful Dissertations and Theses: A Guide to Graduate Student Research from
indicative
Proposal to Completion, 2nd Edition, Jossey Bass Wiley.
• Cottrell, S. (2005), Critical Thinking Skills: Developing Effective Analysis and Argument, Palgrave
Macmillan.
• British Computer Society (BCS), http://www.bcs.org
reading:
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), http://www.theiet.org
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), http://www.ieee.org
What do you do now?
1. Seek out a supervisor (refer to supervisor list), ensuring a minimum
of six meetings per semester is met.
2. Schedule a face-to-face meeting to formally introduce yourself, share
details about your program, and express your interest in collaborating
with your chosen mentor from the provided list of names.
3. Engage in a brainstorming session to discuss potential directions for
your work, whether it's focused on software development or research.
4. Arrange a dates for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th meeting to solidify your
decision and reach a mutual agreement on the specific topic, area of
focus, and methodology with your supervisor, and progression on
proposal write up.
Questions?
