MS3000 Sem B

Week Two

MS2306 Tuesday WorkshopsWeek Seven06-Mar-12

Level 3 presentations

JeromeSteven Jamal

Specify Research Question (IVs/DVs)Context of researchLiteratureRelation between research and MS3308 project

Week Eight13-Mar-12

Level 3 presentations

AshSherelleAlper

Week Nine20-Mar-12

Level 3 presentations

Mohammed and ZubirKarmen

Week Ten27-Mar-12

Level 3 presentations

Peter

LujainDale

Structuring the thesis 1

MS3000

Formatting the Thesis• Title Page • Acknowledgments • Abstract • Table of Contents • List of Figures • List of Tables

1. introduction2. literature review3. methodology4. data analysis5. interpretation of data6. conclusions

• References• Appendices

• All papers must have a title page including title, student number, module code, coursework code and submission date. All pages should include page numbers, student number, module code and coursework code.Text should be in block format (i.e. no paragraph indents) left-justified and should be double line spaced. The font should be at least 12 point.

• See Style Guide

Dividing the Thesis

1. introduction2. literature review3. Methodology4. Data analysis5. interpretation of data6. conclusions

In groups discuss what you think each section should include

introduction

• You may wish to write it in draft format

• Make it the last thing you do

introduction

• Make it interesting

• Grab the readers attention

• Find a hook to draw your reader in…

Hooks• “This thesis argues that the designers of

educational software should focus less on cognitive psychology concepts like user attention and memory and instead explore the notion that learning can be improved by developing emotional engagement. In doing so, it asks a central question, that is…”

Hooks

• “There has been a lot of academic discussion concerning the relation between networks and social power (Galloway, 2004, Hardt and Negri, 2000), however, very little work has directly addressed the role of network administrators and the tools they use to control network usage and interaction. This thesis attempts to readdresses this omission by asking…”

Hooks• “It is important not to underestimate how negative

emotions like fear and anxiety affect students decisions concerning progression from further education to higher education. However, although emotions play a big part in educational success they do not generally feature in the design of online marketing material intended to attract students to University. This research project uses ideas and techniques from emotional design (Norman, 2004) so as to rethink how student emotions might be better integrated into web design strategies.”

Hooks• “It has been argued that people are only turned on

by politics if it can engage them on an affective and emotional interpersonal level (Smith, 1999). Indeed, old media images of politicians kissing babies, acting like celebrities or crying on TV are, it seems, replacing serious political debate. However, this thesis argues that the new media provides new ways of engaging in political debate. By comparing older forms of face-to-face debate to debates carried out in electronic forums and video conferencing, the thesis argues that…”

introduction• Introductory paragraphs mapping the

subject of the thesis & why it’s important to study it

• State why have you written it

• Do not overcook it. Can’t include it all. Introduce it!

• One or two paragraphs outlining what the thesis is about, its context (background) in the field of study, and what the key research question(s) are…

– Look at cw1 feedback – is your question viable, clearly thought-out etc.

introduction• One or two paragraphs outlining the

theoretical context of the work – whose ideas will you be engaging with, drawing on, criticising?

• Reference key literature (the work you are building your ideas on) that you go on to look at in the literature review

• Where is the point where the background context turns into your new research?

• What are you doing that is new!

• Highlight controversies

introduction• One or two paragraphs outlining

the methods you have used – user testing, interviews, observation, other?

• Tell the reader why you have chosen this method – justify it.

• How does the method help you analyse the question?

• How does it test the variables?

introduction

• Definitions of key terms – what do you mean by

‘emotional design’? what is an ‘online community’?

introduction

• A paragraph outlining the structure of the thesis that follows: ‘Firstly … Secondly … Thirdly …’

literature review• Again, look at the feedback

for cw1 and discuss with supervisors

• How can you develop upon the annotated bibliography?

• Be selective• Engage in critical analysis

(next two weeks)• Make links• Develop a narrative

literature review1. what writer A said about the subject of

your thesis2. what writer B said about the subject of

your thesis3. what writer C said about the subject of

your thesis4. what writer D said about the subject of

your thesis (and so on)

• Do not wander off from the main thrust of the thesis

• Conclude with a brief synthesis… that links back to your research question

methodology

• What methods have you used?• Why? • What have other writers said

about the pros and cons of this (and other) methods?

• How does the method help you to empirically answer your research question?

• On reflection, what are the strengths and weaknesses of your method(s)

• Visit the library and research your method

Analysis of data

Interpreting data - your own work • Think logically about the outcomes of

your tests• Referring back to the literature and your

own empirical work… Answer your question

• Are there any patterns in the observations made, tests, questionnaires?

• Discuss any relationships, trends and generalizations arising from the research

• How do prior expectations and assumptions match up to outcomes?

• Can you highlight any causes of the outcomes?

• How do the outcomes match up to previous literature – agree, contradict?

• Interpret the outcomes in terms of context set out in your question and introduction?

• What are the implications • Are there alternative explanations for

outcomes

Interpreting data - your own work

• Refer to empirical work– What did you do? – Who with? – What did you ask?

• Then subdivide by topic: topic 1; topic 2; topic 3 etc.

• Analyse findings; quote from empirical material

• You will probably have more than one chapter here…

conclusion

• Return to your thesis question and answer it

• e.g. ‘are videogames addictive’? ‘Are webzines more democratic than other media forms’? ‘Are videogame audiences changing’?

conclusion

• What can “we” learn from the research you have undertaken?

• What Implications might this have for further research?

Seminar activity• Using this structure discuss in small groups what material

you already have and what material you need to find• Visit the library to research texts on your methodology

• For next week each of you must :

1. Produce a draft plan – including the five sections discussed today

2. Produce a short introductory paragraph or two setting out the thesis question

3. Book a session with your supervisors to discuss