Completing a dissertation

Those of you starting in your third or final year at university will very likely need to start thinking about your dissertation.

What is a dissertation?

A dissertation is a substantial piece of individual research on a specific topic, usually of your own choosing. It is likely the biggest piece of academic work you will undertake, and most of this is on your own. A dissertation is usually worth two modules (about 40 credits). This is not the time to panic, or to be scared. just follow the guidelines set down by your university and get on with it. You'll do just fine.

What should I choose to research?

You will need to discuss the topic with your supervisor. Selecting your topic early is a good idea as stopping and starting something later on will set you back weeks, even months. Choose wisely. Choose to study something feasible. You will need to study something that is within geographic reach, and is possible within the time-scale. You will also be doing it around your other modules. You do not need to choose a research topic that leads to a game-changing revelation - that is best left to the PhD and masters students - but you do need to choose something you can research competently.

That being said, take the time to think about doing something out of the whole student-sphere. Studying your fellow students, or something going on at uni will look lazy to employers. Do something no-one else dares to do - study marginal groups, like homeless people, or a contentious subject. See our job hunting tips to find out how your choices can affect your employability.

Choose to study something that is within the boundary of what you have studied over the last two years or so. This is not the time to start on completely new theory. Apply the theory you have been taught well to a good subject and you'll do fine.

How do I carry out the research?

For a dissertation, you will be expected to carry out your own research to back up your arguments. This is where your key skills and research methods modules come in handy. Look at what you need to find out. You may feel that a questionnaire is a good idea, or maybe use secondary sources and apply the data in a new way. Sometimes primary research involves a review of media or literature instead. Speak to your supervisor about your chosen research method. Explain your methods well. How you carried out your research is as important as what you found.

Choose a method that fits into your life. It's no good trying to conduct a telephone survey if you haven't got time to pound the phones.

How long will it take?

This depends on your university, department and course. Usually, they will take the full academic year though some start in the second year and have an earlier deadline date. See our tips for meeting deadlines. One thing we will say is that time goes faster than it should, and the write-up time will take longer than you expect. Allow plenty of time for getting it printed and bound too. There are often queues for this, and it doesn't help if everyone else is trying to get theirs done at the same time.

What format should it take?

A dissertation is a substantial piece of work of around 10,000 to 20,000 words. It will usually consist of the same chapters, though these will differ from course to course. For example, a biology dissertation will have different chapters to a sociology one. Most dissertations comprise an index page, an abstract, an introduction, a literature review, methods, and a bibliography as well as the body chapters which are pertinent to your topic. Any appendices usually go at the back.

Read the department guidelines in your module handbook carefully. They will usually set requirements in terms of document size, layout, acceptable font type and size, binding type and line-spacing. Do not deviate from this as you will likely lose marks. And check your referencing is done properly. Double check as you go along so you don't miss any.

Departments often keep a back catalogue of undergraduate dissertations you can look at for reference. Ask if your department does this as it can be a real boon.

Where do I get it printed and bound?

Universities often have a list of recommended print and copy shops you can use. The university might have it's own on campus, but usually you have to go to a local, independent one. Choose one near the university as these have more experience of them and can offer advice on how to get the best job and most for your money. They are also a bit more sympathetic to student deadlines, but can get very busy, so don't leave it til the last minute.

You can print them off yourself if you have a good printer, but you will probably still need to take it elsewhere to get it bound. You could also go online. There are lots of online print and copy shops where you can send your dissertation off as a pdf or a word file, and they will print it and send it back to you. I have used Scribes in the past. They are in Hull, but also do mail order. Highly recommended.

What next?

Your dissertation may set the path for the rest of your life. My dissertation topic and the methods used helped me to gain a position in research at the local council. While others shied away from doing questionnaires on the general public which inevitably need some sort of mathematical interpretation and analysis, my successful use of these methods in my dissertation meant I had invaluable experience that others did not have.

If you are considering staying in academia, then a good dissertation can make the difference between getting a paid position or not. It is a good idea to get extra copies printed so you can take them to any type of interview you have.

Because a dissertation is worth more than a standard module it's very important  to make sure its a good one, and it is worth spending the time to make it as good as it can be. But do not miss the deadline. It's got too much riding on it for it to be scored zero. Try to take regular breaks from it to spend a bit of time sleeping on it. The key to a good dissertation is to choose the right topic and methods for you, start it early, and review it regularly.

Good luck!