Independent Study Resource

Independent Study Resource

Your independent study/final year project is an important piece of work and is typically worth 25% of the modules taken in your final year, so it can influence the class of degree that you achieve. When you first start to think about your project it may seem an overwhelming task, however, good planning will make the process much easier for you.


The resources on this web page are designed to provide you with practical advice and tips on how to successfully research and write your final year project/dissertation. However, please remember to refer to your course and/or departmental guidelines regarding specific issues about your project, such as its scope or the content and layout of the final written report. If you have any queries about your project, please contact your supervisor.

     

 Online resources


University of Worcester Guide to Independent Study for BA/BSc students
http://www2.worc.ac.uk/registry/pdf/IndependentStudyGuide.doc


University of Worcester Guide to Masters Dissertation for MA/MSc students
http://www2.worc.ac.uk/registry/pdf/MastersDissertationHandbook2008_2009.pdf


Very useful guidance from the University of Southampton on choosing your research topic and planning your dissertation.
http://www.studyskills.soton.ac.uk/studyguides/Writing%20Your%20Dissertation.doc


Excellent website on how to plan and write your dissertation from the Royal Literary Fund.
http://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowshipscheme/writing/diswriting/intro.htm


A useful website offering guidance on the structure and contents of a dissertation from the University of Newcastle.
http://lorien.ncl.ac.uk/ming/Dept/Tips/writing/thesis/thesis-intro.htm


                                                                                                                                  
                 Further reading – all titles are available in the Peirson Library:


 Bell, J. (1999) Doing your research project, 3rd edition. Buckingham: Open University.


 Berry, Ralph. (2000) The research project – how to write it, 4th edition. London: Routledge.


 Murray, Rowena, (2002). How to write a thesis. Buckingham: Open University Press.


 Rudestam, K. and Newton, R. (2001) Surviving your dissertation: a comprehensive guide to
          content and process, 2nd edition. London: Sage.


 Fabb, Nigel. (1993) How to write essays, dissertations and theses in literary studies.
         London: Longman.