Summary, conclusions and recommendations

 

a) Summary of main findings as a series of statements.

 

b) Conclusions and directions for further research

 

c) Recommendations

 

In writing your conclusion be sure to:

 

a) Re-state the general aim of the research and clarify the way the research you have undertaken related to the hypothesis and the larger issues.

 

b) Summarise the findings of the research by interpreting the relationships depicted in your tables and graphs as clearly as possible in words.

 

c) Relate the finding to the hypothesis or research aims and indicate whether the hypothesis, if stated, is supported or rejected. Explain the implications for the larger issue by relating the findings to a broader context and making them more generally relevant.

 

d) Evaluate the data and acknowledge the limitations of the study by discussing any weakness in the research design and execution.

 

e) Make suggestions for future research

 

 

A major issue for the conclusions section is to explore if and how the research aims and/or objectives stated in the Introduction section have been adequately addressed.

It should also be emphasised how important the recommendations flowing from the research are. Many students seem to tire themselves by this section and do not devote sufficient time to produce an informative and adequate recommendations section.

 

 

APPENDICES

 

Appendices are used to include information which might need to be referred to but were not discussed in the body of the Dissertation. Material put in appendices is often that which would spoil the flow of the argument if incorporated in the text, for example questionnaires, raw results, statistics, relevant correspondence, short documents or long notes. Appendices should be kept to a minimum and be numbered and given a title. You MUST include a copy of your approved research ethics application form (and supporting documentation) in the appendices of your final bound Dissertation submission.   The appendices are not marked as part of the Dissertation and should not be included in the word total.

 

 

REFERENCES

 

Your attention is drawn in particular to the need to acknowledge all sources of information by clearly referencing all material using the Harvard Convention. Please also note that you must submit an electronic copy of your Dissertation through Turnitin and submit, alongside the hard copy of your Dissertation, the Turnitin summary report (based on your final submission).

KEY SKILLS

After completing the module you should be able to:

 

a) understand the nature, types and process of academic research;

b) gain experience in all stages of the research process and be aware of the pitfalls in research designing, data collection and analysis, and drawing conclusions and generalisations;

c) appreciate how original contributions to knowledge are progressed;

d) develop expertise in the topic area researched;

e) have enhanced approaches in critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation skills;

f) work independently in designing and executing a research project.

       DISSERTATION MODULE MANAGEMENT