Reference no: EM133102496

Research Dissertation Structure

The nature of research relating to museums, galleries and heritage is very varied and, particularly at this time, there is no single structure that will suit all dissertations.

• Acknowledgements;
o as appropriate, not in word count, remember not to thank those who wish to remain anonymous!
• Abstract

o not included in the word count but it should be maximum 200 words. Remember to look again at the Guide For Writing Abstracts that we used for MCH8501;
• Contents page(s);
• Introduction
o think about an interesting way to entice your reader in - maybe a reference to why this is a topical/timely/important subject to be writing on
o include an overview of research question/statement, aims and objectives, signpost structure of assignment;
• Literature review;
• Situational analysis;
o include brief background information (e.g. about a particular venue or event that your reader will need to understand the context of your work)
o depending on your project this might be included in your introduction, your literature review or your methodology chapter or it might be a separate section;
• Methodology chapter
o include methodology (i.e. epistemology/philosophical position - e.g. social constructivism), detail about methods and process of data collection (e.g. interviews), methods of data analysis (e.g. content analysis), limitations and problems of approach, ethical issues;
• Main body
o this section can be divided into two or more sections and the way this is divided up is entirely up to you - there isn't a ‘right' way to do this
o it can be divided by case study (e.g. if you have two venues as your focus you might have one chapter on one and one on another)
o it can be by method (e.g. one chapter analysing the results of an online survey, one on analysis of interviews, one on an analysis of a virtual exhibition)
o it can be by theme (e.g. if your dissertation focussed on the construction of gendered identities in the V&A's online offer you might have one chapter on ‘Women of the Past', one of ‘Women of the Present' and ‘Women of the
Future')
o include presentation and analysis of new information - it is really important to move your writing beyond description and to show your critical thinking;
• Conclusions
o should refer to your original research question, aims and objectives
o this section might (but need not) include a very practical element depending on your topic (e.g. a summary of best practice; a new code of practice; a toolkit; or a learning activity)
o discussion of limitations of your study and ideas for future research;
• List of references
o ordered alphabetically, one list of all sources, not in word count;

Attachment:- Dissertation Structure.rar