Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Full download How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports Kathleen Mcmillan file pdf all chapter on 2024
Full download How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports Kathleen Mcmillan file pdf all chapter on 2024
https://ebookmass.com/product/how-to-write-your-literature-
review-1st-edition-edition-bryan-greetham/
https://ebookmass.com/product/how-scholars-write-1st-edition-
aaron-ritzenberg/
https://ebookmass.com/product/how-to-write-about-economics-and-
public-policy-1st-edition-katerina-petchko/
https://ebookmass.com/product/how-to-write-anything-a-guide-and-
reference-fourth-edition-ebook-pdf-version/
How to Write Your Literature Review (Macmillan Study
Skills) 1st Edition Bryan Greetham
https://ebookmass.com/product/how-to-write-your-literature-
review-macmillan-study-skills-1st-edition-bryan-greetham/
https://ebookmass.com/product/ebook-pdf-how-scholars-write-by-
aaron-ritzenberg/
https://ebookmass.com/product/write-it-all-down-how-to-put-your-
life-on-the-page-cathy-rentzenbrink/
https://ebookmass.com/product/writing-to-read-reading-to-
write-2nd-edition-kuehner/
https://ebookmass.com/product/scientific-papers-made-easy-how-to-
write-with-clarity-and-impact-in-the-life-sciences-stuart-west/
How to write How to write
This easy-to-use guide identifies and addresses the areas where most
Reports
students need help with exam preparation and performance, and provides
straightforward, practical tips and solutions that will enable you to assess
and then improve your performance and get better results - and better
grades!
£8.99 www.pearson-books.com
Kathleen McMillan and Jonathan Weyers
How to write
Dissertations &
Project Reports
Kathleen McMillan and
Jonathan Weyers
WRID_A01.qxd 7/18/07 11:35 Page ii
ISBN: 978-0-273-71358-6
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
10 09 08 07
The simple answer is no – but there are some essential skills, tips and
techniques that can help you to improve your performance and
success in all areas of your university studies.
Each book in the series allows you to assess and address a particular
set of skills and strategies, in crucial areas such as exam preparation
and performance, researching and writing dissertations and research
projects, and planning and crafting academic essays. Each book then
delivers practical no-nonsense tips, techniques and strategies that will
enable you to significantly improve your abilities and performance in
time to make a difference.
Or for a complete handbook covering all of the study skills that you
will need throughout your years at university:
iii
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page iv
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page v
Contents
Introduction
1 Tackling a dissertation or project report – how to
make the best possible start 3
v
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page vi
vi Contents
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page vii
Contents vii
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page viii
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page ix
We’d be delighted to hear your opinion of the book and receive any
suggestions you have for additions and improvements.
ix
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page x
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page xi
Within each chapter, the text is laid out to help you absorb the key
concepts easily, using headings and bulleted lists to help you find what
you need as efficiently as possible. Relevant examples are contained
in figures, tables and boxes, which can be consulted independently,
if necessary. The inset boxes are of three types:
smart Smart tip boxes emphasise key advice to ensure you adopt a
tip successful approach.
xi
WRID_A01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page xii
WRID_C01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page 1
‘ Introduction
WRID_C01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page 2
WRID_C01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page 3
Tackling a dissertation or
1 project report
How to make the best possible start
Dissertations and project reports are extensive exercises in
writing and they usually contribute significantly to module and
degree classification grades. It makes sense, therefore, to
tackle them professionally and with energy. This chapter offers
strategies that will help you to start off well and achieve your
full potential.
Key topics:
‘ Starting off well
‘ Making sure you work efficiently and effectively
‘ Avoiding the common pitfalls
Key terms
Effectiveness Efficiency Learning objective Learning outcome
Perfectionism
These are all good reasons for trying to produce the best possible
product and, to do well, you will need to be focussed from the start
and disciplined in your effort.
smart
Taking account of the task you have been set tip
l Make sure you understand precisely what you are being asked
to produce, and how. You can do this by reading the supporting
material in the course handbook or regulations (particularly the
learning objectives or outcomes), or by speaking to your supervisor
or a potential supervisor.
l Try to make the initial connection with your research or source
material. Sometimes this will appear bewildering in its breadth,
obscure in its jargon or genuinely difficult to master. The only way
you will overcome this is to immerse yourself in the topic, read
background material and ask questions. The sooner you take this
step, the better.
l Try not to luxuriate in the comfort of having a deadline many
months away. Graduates will tell you that every part of the
process took longer than they estimated, and that, if they had
to do it all again, they would try to organise themselves better.
4 Introduction
WRID_C01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page 5
The time will quickly evaporate, and the earlier you start the more
likely you will be to avoid stress near to the end. Details of the
component elements of any extensive writing task, and advice
for good timetabling and project management, are provided in
Ch 4 and Ch 6.
l Do something active. Appropriate actions will depend on your
subject, but will probably include taking notes of your background
reading, or creating a plan of action or timetable. In some research
projects it will involve making initial observations or setting up a
pilot experiment; in others getting your hands on the right textbooks
and references.
Efficient working means using your time well. If you can do this, it
will mean you have more time available for thinking and relaxing,
creating a virtuous cycle that will result in a better end product.
The keys to working efficiently are:
smart
Efficient working in a nutshell tip
l getting started;
l focussing on the end product;
l minimising unproductive work;
l identifying things that are barriers to progress;
l finding ways to overcome obstacles to progress; and
l making sure you complete each component, even if this means
some loss of quality.
smart
Effective working in a nutshell tip
This involves smart working, rather than putting in extra effort. This
means identifying SMART goals, that is, those that are:
6 Introduction
WRID_C01.qxd 7/11/07 13:12 Page 7
smart
Try not to be a perfectionist tip
Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will
be renamed.
1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also
govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most
countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the
United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms
of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying,
performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this
work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes
no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in
any country other than the United States.
• You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the
method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The
fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark,
but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to
the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty
payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on
which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your
periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked
as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information
about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation.”
• You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.
1.F.
1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in
paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO
OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation
methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of
other ways including checks, online payments and credit card
donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.
Most people start at our website which has the main PG search
facility: www.gutenberg.org.