Professional Documents
Culture Documents
THE DISSERTATION
The final stage of the M.Sc. Education and Training programme is the completion of
the dissertation. The dissertation provides the opportunity for you to engage, in some
depth, with an issue of professional or intellectual interest. In carrying out the
dissertation, you will have the opportunity to read extensively, but with focus, and to
develop new understandings of an area. You will have the chance to show originality
through the exercise of independent critical and creative thinking. There are a number
of different types of studies that can be undertaken. You must decide the most
appropriate form of study. This will depend on your area of interest and the particular
types of skills that you would like to develop in carrying out your dissertation.
Before you start the dissertation, it is necessary for the Programme Board to approve
your proposed research topic and to appoint an appropriate supervisor. This will take
place upon the successful completion of the taught modules in the second year of the
programme.
The dissertation must consist of your own account of your investigations and how you
are advancing the study of education and training management in eLearning or
leadership.
THE ROLE OF THE DISSERTATION SUPERVISOR
The Supervision Process
The following are some notes on the student-supervisor relationship.
You should ensure that only good draft material is submitted to your
supervisor. This means that the material should be checked for spelling,
grammar and any typographical errors.
You should let the supervisor know what they should focus on and how the
current draft has developed from the earlier draft.
You should prepare for your supervision meetings / tutorials and give your
supervisor advance warning of any areas/issues that you wish to discuss
during the supervision meeting.
Supervisors expect students to be honest when reporting on their progress. If
you are falling behind, do let your supervisor know.
You should not submit the soft-bound copies of your dissertation for
examination without showing it to the supervisor.
When in doubt about any regulations, research method etc., consult your
supervisor.
Quotation
Paraphrase
Summary
Quotations: When you take the words directly from a source without making any
changes you must acknowledge this as a direct quote. Direct quotes should not
dominate your written material.
Quotation: Handling the in-text citation
When quoting directly from another author you must give the author, year and page
number and ensure the full reference is given in the reference list.
Paraphrase: To paraphrase you restate the authors idea or line of argument in your
own words. It is best to use a paraphrase when:
Summary
A summary is a synopsis of what you have read. It allows the writer to bring together
what has been written on a particular theme and to argue or agree with the point of
view expressed. A summary is a shortened version of the original and it takes time
and practice to do it well.
Title Page to include: title (at least 24pt), authors name, M. Sc.
Education and Training Management (strand name), university, year,
name of supervisor.
Table of Contents.
Declaration page. (see attached on final page)
Acknowledgements (if any).
Abstract around 300 words detailing the dissertation, outlining its
content, method used, results and conclusion.
Referencing and citation guidelines are available from the DCU Library booklet
Citing and Referencing: A Guide for Students. The School of Education Studies uses
the Harvard style of referencing.
ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR DISSERTATION
You are advised to check the DCU Research Ethics Committee Guidelines as research
projects must be conducted in accordance with the law, and also according
to acceptable ethical standards http://www.dcu.ie/research/research_ethics.shtml
BERA Guidelines on educational research can be accessed at
http://www.bera.ac.uk/publications/guides.php
between data found and that offered by other writers in your literature review (Ch.
Two) and an attempt should be made to account for this.
Chapter Five
Conclusion
Key themes arising from the research are outlined in this chapter as well as
implications for practice and, if required, recommendations for further research.
Reading the conclusion, a reader should have a clear sense of what the dissertation
has been about, what has been discussed within it and what you have made of it.
The dissertation should have added to the above:
References a list of all the books, articles or web sites referred to in the dissertation.
Bibliography a list of all the above as well as those you have consulted but not
referred to in the dissertation.
Appendices the appendices add to what you are saying in the body of your
dissertation. You can include policy documents, photographs, and other relevant
documents in your appendices. Appendices should be named alphabetically.
11
12
APPENDIX A
Verbs for introducing summaries, paraphrases and quotations.
Author is neutral
Comments
Describe
Explains
Illustrates
Notes
Observes
Points out
Records
Relates
Reports
Says
Sees
Thinks
Writes
Author infers or
suggests
Analyses
Asks
Assesses
Concludes
Considers
Finds
Predicts
Proposes
Reveals
Shows
Suggests
Supposes
Author argues
Claims
Contends
Defends
Disagrees
Holds
Insists
Maintains
Author agrees
Admits
Agrees
Concedes
Concurs
Grants
Author is uneasy or
disparaging
Belittles
Bemoans
Complains
Condemns
Deplores
Deprecates
Derides
Laments
Warns
Speculates
13
A
70-100%
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
B
60-69%
C
50-59%
D
40-49%
E
0-39%
14
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
Grade
A
B
C
D
E
15
Grade
A
B
C
D
Overall 100%
Work of high quality combining extensive knowledge, in-depth analysis, excellent
standard of presentation and evidence of critical, original and creative thinking
Work of very good quality showing evidence of reading, reflection and careful
planning and presentation
Work of good quality, demonstrating an adequate level of knowledge and
understanding with evidence of reading, reflection and a reasonable standard of
presentation
Satisfactory work showing evidence of a reasonable level of understanding and
knowledge, adequate reading and reflection and an acceptable level of presentation
and language use
16