This document provides a recommended structure for the research dissertation. The general structure can be adapted to reflect the nature of the actual research project, in consultation with your supervisor.
Given the timeframe for the research project is one semester, the expected word count for the dissertation is 10,000 words, roughly equivalent to a long conference/journal paper. This word count applies to the sections from the Introduction to the Conclusion (Note the Abstract, TOC, References, Appendix are additional to the count).
ABSTRACT
300-word summary of research problem, aims, methodology, key findings, outcomes and significance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
This section introduces the problem and context of the research, the research aims/questions, the significance of the research and the contributions to knowledge.
LITERATURE REVIEW
This section positions the research within related work. The research may seek to extend existing work and/or to identify a limitation and propose an alternative way of thinking.
METHODOLOGY
The type of research being conducted is briefly described, with details and justification of the research methods applied.
FOUNDATION WORK (Optional)
If the research is practice-based, then previous work of the student that is being built upon in this project should be briefly described within the framework of the dissertation.
STUDIES
The actual research studies are described in detail.
RESULTS
The results of the studies are presented, with a critical discussion of the key findings.
CONCLUSIONS
The research questions are revisited with a summary of the major outcomes of the research, highlighting the specific contributions to knowledge. Directions for future work are outlined.
REFERENCES
APPENDIX
Evidence of research conducted can be included in the appendix, e.g., transcripts of interviews, survey questions, field notes, design sketches, user evaluation data, ethics approval, etc.
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