University of Lancasshire - Dissertationhandbook Requirement

UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL
OF
CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
OF JOURNALISM
LANGUAGE
AND
COMMUNICATION
MA
IN INTERCULTURAL
BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
DISSERTATION HANDBOOK
2015-16
/var/www/apps/conversion/tmp/scratch_6/322920632.doc
CONTENTS
1 The Dissertation
1.1 Aims
1.2 Topic
1.3 Developing the dissertation
1.4 Assessment
1.5 Length
2 Dissertation Guidelines
3 Supervision
4 Carrying out your research project

5 The dissertation format and content
7
8
6 Style and Presentation Guide

12
Appendix 1: Dissertation Cover Page

16
Appendix 2: Outline Dissertation Proposal Form
17
Appendix 3: Personal Timetable
19
Appendix 4: Module Descriptor

20
Appendix 5: Library Information
1.
THE DISSERTATION
1.1
Aims of the Dissertation
The primary objective of the dissertation is for you to produce a

substantial piece of original work which will be of significance to
other professionals working in the field. This work will naturally
involve skills of identifying topic area, methodology, relevance, and
appropriacy of presentation.
You may choose to present the
dissertation in traditional form, or in other appropriate media that
demonstrate the above skills, for example video, or materials for
publication. If you choose the latter, you will have to present a
substantial academic rationale in addition.
1.2
The Dissertation Topic
You will find it useful to identify your dissertation area at an early

stage in your programme, by the mid-point of which you should
have defined the topic more clearly. This is done in consultation
with workshop tutors and your supervisor, who also liaises with the
module leader to ensure that the relevant materials are accessible
and supervisory support is available. Dissertations may build on
completed or assessed work from other modules but the main
development must be of new and original work. As a fundamental
principle throughout the programme, you are not allowed to submit
the same piece of work in part or in whole for different assessments.
The dissertation should relate in a broad sense to the field of culture
and intercultural aspects of communication in the workplace. The
scope of the dissertation should focus in detail on a specific and
fairly narrow topic. Broadbrush descriptive work is likely to be too
superficial to be satisfactory.
Discussion with tutors, peers, colleagues, and anyone who can
provide advice and share experience is crucial to the evolution of a
good dissertation.
1.3
Developing the Dissertation
The dissertation is essentially the product of private and

independent study, but you will be allocated a supervisor to guide
your work. Your supervisor may advise you on choosing your topic,
which you can change until the deadline for the final proposal.
You will need to carry out a literature search in your chosen area and
write up a detailed proposal. Subsequently you will receive support
from your supervisor on a flexible basis according to individual need.
Detailed proposals could be up to 2,000 words in length.
By the time you complete
demonstrated the ability to:
the
dissertation
you
will
have
establish the viability of a proposed topic;
design and carry out a small-scale research project;
evaluate critically all information sources;
plan and structure material in a sequential logical and coherent

progression;
produce a high quality piece of original work which will be of use

to the research community.
1.4
Assessment
Assessment will be based on the dissertation or project itself in the

final form in which it is presented, and take the following criteria into
account:
the extent to which the dissertation is of real interest to

professionals in the field of culture, communication and business.
a clearly specified and valid research question or fundamental

thesis;
the identification, comprehension, collection, analysis and use of

background materials and literature relating to the dissertation
topic;
the planning and structuring of the dissertation, demonstrating

an understanding of the methodological issues involved that may
relate to the topic;
demonstration of an adequate level of competence, knowledge

and critical perception in the research and production of the
dissertation;
appropriate referencing, appendices and bibliography;
the overall quality of presentation of the dissertation;
the evaluation of the dissertation as a whole in relation to the

original plan and title.
The dissertation will be marked by the supervisor, second marked

by another member of the MA in IBC team and may then be
discussed with the external examiner.
1.5
Length of Dissertation
If you choose to present your dissertation in traditional form, i.e. as

a report of a research project, it should be approximately 15,000
words in length. It may however, be presented in a variety of
other forms, after discussion with your supervisor. For example you
could submit a project centred round materials for publication or
commercial purposes or a video for training in intercultural
communication. As above, if presented in other than traditional
dissertation form your work must be supported by a statement of
aims and a sound theoretical rationale in a supporting document of
around 5,000 words, written according to academic conventions
and style.
DISSERTATION GUIDELINES
2.1
The dissertation forms

assessment for your MA.
2.2
Topics should be discussed with tutors early in the course in

order to enable as much as possible of the time available to
be profitably used to :-
significant
component
of the
1) Negotiate a subject area in which to carry out the

dissertation;
2) Establish a foundation of literature regarding the
topic;
3) Devise an appropriate approach to the study;
4) Carry out and write up the research.
2.3
The scope of the dissertation should clearly recognise time

and facility constraints and advice must be sought from your
supervisor . The feasibility of the research project is a major
consideration - many students are too ambitious in their early
ideas.
2.4
Your supervisor will help you with general advice on topic,

scope, design, analysis, writing up etc. and overall coordination of the project, but responsibility for producing the
dissertation is your own.
2.5
Writing up the dissertation should not be left until the last

moment. Introduction and Methodology chapters for example
should be written up during the project and revised as the
work progresses.
2.6
Typing facilities need pre-organisation. Typists need to be

chosen with care, well in advance, with clear indications of
what you expect from them in quantity, quality and timetable.
The same need for organisation applies to word processing
facilities. If you intend to do your own word processing, make
sure you know how to lay out documents and remember that
there are often queues for print outs at certain times in the
semester.
2.7
The formal date for the submission of the dissertation is will

be confirmed by the course leader. Submission of a
dissertation after this date without good cause will incur
penalties as stated in the Student Handbook (Assessments).
2.8
The dissertation must be submitted in an approved form (See

Section 6).
2.9
You are required to submit 2 copies of the dissertation, bound

and in the specified format. You must bind the frontispiece
(See appendix 6) into each of the 2 copies that you hand in.
2.10 Many dissertations can result in material worthy of

publication. It is a conventional and reasonable assumption in
a situation where you have been actively supervised, that
such publications appear under the joint authorship of the
student, tutor and University.
2.11 Confidentiality
You need to be aware of the question of confidentiality and
anonymity in all aspects of your work. You should not use the
real names of subjects, institutions or firms: you can use
pseudonyms or codes to identify people and institutions. In
certain cases you may feel that you really want to identify a
person or institution by name, if this is the case you must ask
for written permission to do so.
2.12 Do not forget to feed your findings back to individuals and
groups who have provided facilities and access. Discuss with
tutors the most appropriate way of doing so.
2.13 All the costs of preparation and submission of the dissertation,
including photocopying, are met by the course member.
3.
SUPERVISION
3.1
Your dissertation supervisor may advise you in the drafting
of your proposal. A Dissertation Proposal Form can be found at
Appendix 2 and a Timetable for your research work at Appendix
3. The timetable is a useful for time and task management
task.
3.2
You are entitled to a maximum of 4 (four) hours of one-toone supervisions from your final supervisor.
3.3 The tutors role is to facilitate the dissertation in relation to
the targets and guidelines in this document. Tutors will not and
should not dictate the nature and scope of this dissertation, nor
make more contribution to the writing up than commenting on
drafts. You are expected to work independently and to treat
your supervisor as a consultant, not as a co-writer of your
dissertation.
3.4 It is essential that you communicate with your supervisor

throughout the course of your research project. It is your
responsibility to organise this communication. However, please
bear in mind that supervisors are also involved in their own
teaching and/or research, and so your expectations should be
realistic in terms of their availability.
3.5 It is advisable that you keep a written record of whatever
agreements you reach with your supervisor in terms of interim
deadlines or submissions of the various parts of your thesis, if
any. This way you can keep track of your research and make the
one-to-one supervisions as effective as possible.
4.
CARRYING OUT YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT
4.1
Methodology must be appropriate to the topic and context but

may vary considerably. In all cases you should decide on your
topic first and then consider appropriate methodology, not
vice versa.
4.2
The realities of getting hold of the subjects and data you need
must be considered. Promises of co-operation may not be
forthcoming in; fact, people may well be unwilling to allow
recordings of meetings etc. In some cases subjects may
require payment, expenses etc.
You need to check
arrangements carefully.
4.3
Equipment, tests, questionnaires etc. must be designed,

obtained, ordered, or prepared in good time. All research
tools should be piloted so that you can iron out problems
before the main data collection session(s). Again you may
need to consider costs.
4.4
As the project moves from planning to reality, things can and

do go wrong e.g.:
- your targeted sample are unavailable;
- other professionals fail to keep promises of cooperation or resources;
- equipment sometimes fails;
- methodology proves untenable as a result of the
demands placed upon it.
Sometimes these difficulties are minor, occasionally (and

rarely) catastrophic. The best advice is to make sure that you:
-
pilot your research tools and equipment;

give yourself plenty of time to start again;
plan for things going wrong;
keep your tutor informed and get advice.
4.5
Whilst the dissertation is in progress it is important to set and

adhere to a timetable of deadlines for completing stages in
the project. (See Appendix 3)
4.6
A simple note of thanks to those who helped in your research

works wonders for your image and future co-operation.
5.
THE DISSERTATION FORMAT AND CONTENT
5.1
The length of the dissertation should normally be about

15,000 words (plus or minus 10% either way is acceptable),
with an abstract of about 250 words.
Appendices are
additional to the above word limit.
5.2
The dissertation must be typed on good quality A4 paper with

double line spacing and appropriate margins for binding.
5.3
The dissertation must be bound and in the specified format.
5.4
Make sure that your supervisor sees early drafts of chapters or

parts of chapters, please dont leave it until you have written
substantial amounts before you show our tutor, it is possible
that you may be making fundamental mistakes which need to
be picked up early. Be sure to let your supervisor have
material well in advance so that there is time to read it before
comment is made.
5.5
The Contents of the Dissertation

The Dissertation has to be organised in the following way. All
the elements below are obligatory:
Title Page (See Appendix 1)
Acknowledgements
Contents List
Abstract
Introduction
Review of the literature/theoretical basis
Methods (and their justification)
Data/Results/Findings
Discussion
Conclusions
References/Bibliography
Appendices
Abstract
This is similar to the abstract at the beginning of an article or
journal. It should state clearly the focus of your investigation, how
you carried it out, the nature of your findings and their implications
(250 words approx.). This is usually the last part you write.
Introduction
The introduction should set the scene for the reader. It should
contain a clear, logical presentation of your project. By the end
of the Introduction the reader should have a clear picture of the
purpose(s), methods(s) and rationale of your study.
Your
supervisor will probably ask you to produce an early version of
the Introduction, stating which problem or question you intend
to address, why you find it interesting and how you intend to go
about the study at an early stage in the process, however the
final version of the Introduction may well be one of the last
parts of the dissertation you write.
It is a good idea to finish the Introduction with a clear statement of
the question, problem or hypothesis your study aims to investigate.
Review of the Literature

The first substantial chapter is usually referred to as the Review of
Literature because this is where you will critically discuss what has
previously been written and researched in the area. It is not
intended to be just a review of other peoples work however. This
10
chapter sets the scene for your study by looking critically at what is
known and making a case for more work to be done, i.e. your study.
Though you will find yourself quoting other peoples work a great
deal, the chapter should present your view of the subject based on
your reading of the literature. If you simply paraphrase other
peoples ideas or words without proper reference, you will be guilty
of plagiarism which is a serious offence.
Methodology:
The research methods you use will obviously vary according to the
topics addressed and the data you need to collect.
The
Methodology chapter of the dissertation should describe how the
research project was designed and carried out, and should include
discussion of:
what data were/was required;

how the data were/was collected, how subjects were selected
etc.;
justification for the choice of methods;
limitations of the study, what you would do differently if you did it
again
The purpose of this chapter is to provide the reader with a clear

picture of how data on which you base your conclusions were/was
collected. A reader should be able to replicate the study on the
basis of the information you provide, i.e. to check your work in a
reliable way.
Results
In this chapter you should present a summary and analysis of your
results, raw data e.g: transcriptions, should be presented in an
appendix. You should think very carefully about the most effective
method of presenting results, for example visual displays such as
tables, bar charts, pie charts, frequency histograms etc. are often
more effective than wordy descriptions. Where you present results
in a table etc. make sure that you also provide explanations. If you
use statistics to analyse results you must describe the statistical
methods used.
11
Discussion
In this chapter you should discuss the implications of you results
with specific reference to your research objectives, integrating
results with the issues raised in the Introduction, with the research
methods discussed in the Methodology. You need to go beyond very
simple analysis of the data to discuss what your results mean and to
point out any further research you feel might be needed.
It is usually worthwhile to consider alternative explanations for
results, to discuss possible reasons for any surprising or unpredicted
results, to draw out the significance of the results for the
intercultural workplace and to suggest how future research might
further your findings.
This chapter is perhaps the most crucial in the dissertation because
it is here that you draw together methodology, theory and insights
from your own research.
Conclusion
There should be nothing new in this section, which is usually a brief
summary of the project, from objectives to further research via your
own findings. The reader should be able to read your Introduction
and Conclusion and come away with a clear idea of the whole
project.
6.
STYLE AND PRESENTATION GUIDE
6.1
Your dissertation should be addressed to a non-specialist but

informed reader. Try to present what you have to say as
clearly and as simply as you can, so that the reader is able to
follow your line of argument without constant cross-checking.
Do not patronise your reader by explaining too much or
challenge the reader by assuming too much.
6.2
Give each of your chapters a number and a title. In addition,

numbered headings should be placed wherever necessary
within each chapter to break the text into logical sections.
12
Use the convention of numbering sections and subsections as

follows:
Chapter 1, Section 2, Subsection 4 would be numbered:
1.2.4: (Title)
6.3
Tables should be numbered like sections,

e.g. in Chapter 1, Table 1.1: Title.
Any graphs, histograms, drawings, diagrams and photographs
should be referred to as Figures and numbered in the same
way, (e.g. Figure 1.1, 1.2). It is important to give tables and
diagrams etc. a title so that the reader can see what they are
intended to illustrate.
6.4
Use good quality A4 paper. The text must be typewritten or

word-processed (double-spaced), on one side of paper only.
Leave at least 40mm (1.5) for the left margin and about
25mm (1) for the right-hand margin. Also leave about 40mm
at the top and 25mm at the bottom of the sheet. Number
each page at the bottom and in the centre or at the right of
each sheet.
6.5
Referencing
It is very important that you are accurate in your referencing,
you will lose marks if you fail to follow the conventions. The
primary purpose of this is to enable a reader to check the
sources you have taken ideas from, and if s/he wishes, to
explore that source further. However, proper referencing also
shows that you are giving credit to these sources and are not
suggesting that the ideas are yours.
6.5.1 Attributions in the text: Books

Single Author
Reference to single authors ideas: e.g. Kramsch (1998:100)
argues that.
13
Short direct quote from single author: e.g. Kramsch (1998: 6)

states that common attitudes, beliefs, and values are
reflected in the way members of the group use languagee.g.
what they choose to say or not to say and how they say it.
Longer direct quotes (i.e. longer than 2-3 lines of text) should
be indented and single spaced:
Tan (2005: 38) claims that
certain English usages have links to particular Thai social and
cultural practices. All these usages exemplify Morgans (1998)
views about the relationship between language behaviour and
ones own internal culturevalues and thoughts which are
implicitly learnt, unconscious, and difficult to change.
The reference in the Bibliography would be:
Kramsch, C. (1998).
University Press.
Language and Culture. Oxford: Oxford
NB. You must include place of publication and publisher in the

Bibliography reference.
Two authors: The attribution of ideas and quotes is basically
the same as for single authors:
e.g. Guy and Mattock (1991) argue that trainers should
clarify their own hidden agendas.
The reference in the Bibliography would be:
Guy, V. and Mattock, J. (1991).
The
New
International
Manager:An Action Guide for Cross-Cultural Business. London,
Kogan Page
More than two authors: In the text a reference to more
than two authors should appear as: Fisher et. al. (1991)
In the Bibliography this would be:
Fisher, R., Ury, W. and Patton, B. (1991). Getting to Yes:
Negotiating an agreement without giving in (2nd edition).
London, Business Books
14
NB: Note that where appropriate you need to point out which
edition you have referred to.
References to works in an edited collection:
In the text the reference is as for a book authored by the
writer. e.g. Morgan (1996) claims that
In the Bibliography this would be:
Morgan, C. (1998). Cross-cultural encounters. In M. Byram and
M.
Fleming (eds.), Language learning and Intercultural
Perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 242-54.
6.5.2 Attributions in the text: Articles
In the bibliography this would be:
Tan, M. (2005). Authentic language or language errors?
Lessons
from a learner corpus. English Language Teaching Journal, 36,
2,
293 304
Note the same conventions apply to joint and multiple
authorship as outlined above.
6.6
BIBLIOGRAPHY
This should be arranged in alphabetical order by author surname. It

should not be numbered.
Single authored items first, followed by joint and multiple authors
e.g.
Smith, M. (1993)
Smith, M. and Jones, G. R. (1993)
Smith, M., Jones, G. R. and Cleese, J. (1994)
Items for each author (single, double or multiple) need to be listed
in date order of publication e.g.
15
Smith, M. (1978)
Smith, M. (1983)
When an author has more than one publication within the same
year, these need to be identified both in the Bibliography and the
text with a small case letter.
e.g. (Hammersley 1987a)
NB. If you have any doubts about how you should attribute ideas or
quotes, please ask your supervisor. It is crucial that you are very
careful about referencing, it is important to remember the following
advice:
start a bibliography file on your computer/area as soon as you

start reading and record all the details you need, (name and
initial of author(s); date of publication, full title, place of
publication, publisher and page numbers for quotes);
keep very accurate quotes including page numbers and all

reference details;
make sure that every reference to the literature is attributed in

the text and the Bibliography;
dont leave it to the last minute to sort out these details.
16
APPENDIX 1: DISSERTATION COVER

PAGE
TITLE OF THE DISSERTATION
submitted by
JOHN PARTICIPANT
supervised by
ANNE ACADEMIC
Submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements of
the MA in Intercultural Business Communication
Department of Languages and International Studies
University of Central Lancashire
September 2015
17
APPENDIX 2:
MA IBC EB4701: Outline Dissertation Proposal Form
In order to start you thinking or to formalise your thinking
(depending on how far you have got), please fill in as much
as you can on this form and hand it in to your supervisor by
(date to be confirmed). The details you present here are not
set in stone, you will have plenty of opportunities to revise
your ideas. Dont worry if you cant fill it all in at this stage.
Your Name
Working/Provisional title:
Aim(s)
study:
of
your
proposed
Research questions:
What data do you require?
Proposed data collection

method(s):
Proposed
subjects
(if
appropriate):
who?
how many?
any
ethical
considerations?
Any
permission
needed?
Yes/No
From whom?
*NB. We will expect you to be continually revising draft

sections throughout the process of producing the
dissertation. This is particularly the case with the Literature
18
Review as you will continue to come across new ideas as you

continue to read around the topic. Please note this when
you are putting together the personal timetable.
19
APPENDIX 3: Personal Timetable

Action
To be completed
February 2015
by:
17
Outline proposal submitted

Discussion with supervisor
and refined proposal
Detailed proposal submitted Deadline: 17 April 2015
(with draft Introduction)
*Draft literature review
Design and preparation of
data
collection
tools/materials
Pilot of data collection tools
*Draft methodology chapter
Data collection
Data analysis
*Draft
presentation
discussion of results
and
*Draft conclusion
Draft revised dissertation
Review
of
Introduction
Title
and
Completed
submitted
(with Abstract)
dissertation
11 September 2015
20
APPENDIX 4: The Dissertation

MODULE
TITLE
MODULE
CODE
Dissertation
EB 4701
CREDI
T
VALUE
40
MODULE
Year long
DELIVERY
MODULE
Course Team
AUTHOR
DATE
30th March 2005; Version 3, July 2011
APPROVE
D
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER MODULES
CoNone
Pre-requisites
All Core Modules + 2
requisites
Elective Modules
MODULE CONTENT
The dissertation will be an original piece of work, which forms the
culmination of the course and qualification of the MA. Students will
identify a topic worthy of investigation, collect data using
appropriate methodology, assess the available evidence and write
up their findings in an appropriate professional manner. Research
skills will be taught in the modules learnt and research training
support will be given in the form of lectures, seminars and
workshops. Research skills that will be developed include the
following:
the main elements of a good dissertation contribution to the
field, level of critical awareness, reference to the literature,
organisation, presentation.
preparing and submitting a proposal
seeking permission from the university
drafting a literature review
data gathering qualitative and quantitative methods, action
and classroom research
analysing and discussing data
incorporating evidence into your writing
refining chapters, proof reading
21
reviewing the title and writing an abstract
MODULE AIMS
1. to define and identify the characteristics of a Masters level
dissertation
2. to identify the main steps in the preparation of a dissertation
from first ideas and the initial proposal through to proofreading
3. to examine and evaluate, in depth and with specific reference
to the research on intercultural business communication and
other related studies, approaches to collecting and analysing
data, analysing data, etc.
4. to sensitise learners to the need for self-assessment
strategies during and after writing
5. to orientate learners towards the effective use of research
methodologies of key relevance to students, using social
sciences research, business research, action research.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this module a student will be
able to:
1
To plan and execute a significant project based on research with
minimal guidance.
2
To demonstrate original, independent and critical thinking.
3
To critically analyse and evaluate primary and secondary
material.
4
To identify and access appropriate bibliographical resources.
5
To construct coherent arguments and articulate ideas in clear
written form.
6
To demonstrate skills of working autonomously, or with minimal
guidance, to direct and manage their own learning
TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGY
The teaching and learning strategy is characterised by self-directed
and autonomous learning at a postgraduate level. Students will be
encouraged to fulfil the learning outcomes of the module through
22
judicious use of online materials, primary and secondary sources,

tutor guidance, peer discussion and reflection. The focus of this will
be on self-directed learning through independent research,
analytical and critical awareness. Learner independence is a major
focus of the module and students will be expected to demonstrate a
high degree of autonomy in producing a dissertation. In addition,
each student will receive support from a supervisor and will be in
regular contact with one another.
INDICATIVE CLASS CONTACT
The module, through the Research Methods input, will provide the
opportunity for students to engage with the research process
through a series of mini-lectures followed by discussion in seminar
mode and workshops.
Individual tutorials with allocated supervisors and the RM tutor will
be available.
INDICATIVE ASSESSMENT
Assessment will be based on the following criteria:
The identification, comprehension, collection, analysis and use
of background literature relating to the dissertation topic.
(Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
Clearly stated research aims. (Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3)
The
planning
and
structuring
of
the
dissertation,
demonstrating an understanding of the methodological issues
involved that may relate to the topic. (Learning outcomes 1, 2,
3, 4, 5 and 6)
Referencing in the form of relevant notes, appendices and
bibliography. (Learning outcome 4)
The overall written presentation of the dissertation. (Learning
outcome 5)
Numb Assessment
Weighting Type/Duration/Word count
er
%
(indicative only)
1
Proposal
10%
2 000 (LOs: 1, 2, 4, 5)
1
Dissertation
90%
15 000 (LOs: 1 6)
(LO 1-6)
MODULE PASS REQUIREMENTS
Students must attain a minimum of 40% to pass this module.
BIBLIOGRAPHY AND LEARNING SUPPORT MATERIAL
Berry, R. (1994) The Research Project: How to Write It Cambridge:
Pergamon
23
Drew, S. and Bingham R., Skills Learning Resources (on-line)

HREF="http://www.uclan.ac.uk/skills"
Fink, A. (2005), Conducting research literature reviews: from the
Internet to paper London: Sage
Greenfield, T. (ed.) (2002), Research Methods for Postgraduates,
London: Arnold
Grix, J. (2004), The Foundations of research, Basingstoke : Palgrave
Macmillan
Hart, C. (2005), Doing your Masters Dissertation, London:Sage
Murray, R. (2003) How to Write a Thesis Maidenhead, OUP
Potter, S. (2002) Doing Postgraduate Research London, Sage
Preece, R. (1994) Starting Research: An Introduction to Academic
Research and Dissertation Writing, London, Pinter
Swales, J.M. & Feak, C.B. (2004), 2nd ed., Academic Writing for
Graduate Students, Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press
Appendix 5
Learning and Information Services (LIS)
Your IT and Library resources are vital. It is impossible to complete
your course without using a PC or Mac, reading books, accessing
electronic journal articles or printing out work. Learning &
Information Services (LIS) make all of these possible, and more.
The library building provides access to thousands of books 24/7,
offering extensive reading for all subjects and these are
complemented by still more texts/multi-media available online as eresources. Password technology enables you to use these on the
University campus, at home or from any internet enabled PC in the
world. The Resources for your Subject guides should help you get
started.
The library also has a wide range of study areas to meet different
study needs and styles. These include:
group study zone
silent study areas
quiet study areas
bookable study rooms and pods
a design suite
You'll also find hundreds of computers, laptops and MacBooks
available to borrow within the building, and a caf. Help is available
from our Customer Support team via the telephone (01772 895355),
email (LISCustomerSupport@uclan.ac.uk) or in person at the One
Stop service point on the ground floor.
24
The LIS training team offers a range of free courses and seminars to
help you use our IT and Information sources. These include tours of
the Library, guides to using the catalogue, and help with doing an
in-depth search of a subject database. They will even show you how
to put all this new-found information into a word document. The
training team web pages www.uclan.ac.uk/listraining detail the
iSkills program.
Using the library is an essential part of your studies and we hope
you can become a confident and independent user of all the
services and facilities it has to offer.
More information about the services LIS offers is available from
www.uclan.ac.uk/LIS
25
Appendix 6:
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE, LITERATURE
AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
DISSERTATION FRONTISPIECE
TITLE OF ASSIGNMENT IN FULL:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
___
NAME OF SUPERVISOR:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_
NAME OF STUDENT:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_
REGISTRATION NUMBER:
__________________________________________________________________________________
_
DATE OF SUBMISSION:
__________________________________________________________________________________
I confirm that this dissertation which I have submitted is all my own

work and that it or sections/parts of it have not already been submitted
as part of the assessment requirements at this or any other university or
college. I also confirm that all references and quotations from both
primary and secondary research sources have been fully identified and
properly acknowledged in footnotes and in the bibliography.
Signature of Student:
______________________________________________
26
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UNIVERSITY

4 Carrying out your research project

6 Style and Presentation Guide

Appendix 1: Dissertation Cover Page

Appendix 4: Module Descriptor

Aims of the Dissertation

The primary objective of the dissertation is for you to produce a

The Dissertation Topic

You will find it useful to identify your dissertation area at an early

Developing the Dissertation

The dissertation is essentially the product of private and

establish the viability of a proposed topic;

design and carry out a small-scale research project;

evaluate critically all information sources;

plan and structure material in a sequential logical and coherent

produce a high quality piece of original work which will be of use

Assessment will be based on the dissertation or project itself in the

the extent to which the dissertation is of real interest to

a clearly specified and valid research question or fundamental

the identification, comprehension, collection, analysis and use of

the planning and structuring of the dissertation, demonstrating

demonstration of an adequate level of competence, knowledge

appropriate referencing, appendices and bibliography;

the overall quality of presentation of the dissertation;

the evaluation of the dissertation as a whole in relation to the

The dissertation will be marked by the supervisor, second marked

If you choose to present your dissertation in traditional form, i.e. as

The dissertation forms

Topics should be discussed with tutors early in the course in

1) Negotiate a subject area in which to carry out the

The scope of the dissertation should clearly recognise time

Your supervisor will help you with general advice on topic,

Writing up the dissertation should not be left until the last

Typing facilities need pre-organisation. Typists need to be

The formal date for the submission of the dissertation is will

The dissertation must be submitted in an approved form (See

You are required to submit 2 copies of the dissertation, bound

2.10 Many dissertations can result in material worthy of

3.4 It is essential that you communicate with your supervisor

CARRYING OUT YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT

Methodology must be appropriate to the topic and context but

Equipment, tests, questionnaires etc. must be designed,

As the project moves from planning to reality, things can and

Sometimes these difficulties are minor, occasionally (and

pilot your research tools and equipment;

Whilst the dissertation is in progress it is important to set and

A simple note of thanks to those who helped in your research

THE DISSERTATION FORMAT AND CONTENT

The length of the dissertation should normally be about

The dissertation must be typed on good quality A4 paper with

The dissertation must be bound and in the specified format.

Make sure that your supervisor sees early drafts of chapters or

The Contents of the Dissertation

Review of the Literature

what data were/was required;

The purpose of this chapter is to provide the reader with a clear

STYLE AND PRESENTATION GUIDE

Your dissertation should be addressed to a non-specialist but

Give each of your chapters a number and a title. In addition,

Use the convention of numbering sections and subsections as

Tables should be numbered like sections,

Use good quality A4 paper. The text must be typewritten or

6.5.1 Attributions in the text: Books