Speaker 1 (1)
Section three.
Speaker 1 (2)
You will hear a tutor, doctor Simon, talking to some of his students about writing a dissertation.
Speaker 1 (3)
First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26.
Speaker 1 (4)
Now listen to the discussion and answer questions 21 to 26.
Speaker 2 (6)
Welcome back to the new term.
Speaker 2 (7)
I hope you've had a good break and that you're looking forward to writing your dissertation.
Speaker 2 (8)
Now what I'd like to do in this session is give you the opportunity to ask questions on writing the dissertation.
Speaker 2 (9)
Requirements, milestones, who to see when you need help.
Speaker 2 (10)
It's very informal.
Speaker 2 (11)
It may all be written on paper, but it's nice to get it confirmed.
Speaker 2 (12)
So anything you'd like to ask?
Speaker 3 (13)
Doctor Simon, is there a fixed handing date yet?
Speaker 2 (15)
I can confirm that that's the May 21, not the twentieth as we first stated.
Speaker 4 (18)
What about the word limit?
Speaker 2 (19)
Well, we try to be pretty flexible on this, but in broad terms, it's '18 to 20,000.
Speaker 2 (21)
And you can choose your topics, anything from years two and three.
Speaker 4 (23)
I still haven't got any idea what I want to do it on.
Speaker 2 (25)
Well, you should see your course tutor to agree on your final title, and you should also be aware that there's a special program running on research methods for anyone who wants some extra help on that.
Speaker 4 (26)
Can I just check on the deadlines for everything?
Speaker 2 (30)
Let me write it on the board.
Speaker 2 (31)
When the different stages have to be completed, first of all, you've got to work on your basic bibliography, and that's due into your course tutor by the January 31, which is just two weeks away, so you'd better get a move on on that.
Speaker 3 (32)
Do we have to have our own draft plan by then?
Speaker 2 (34)
Your draft plan is due on the February 7, which is a week later, so that should give you plenty of time.
Speaker 4 (35)
And when do we have to be doing the research?
Speaker 2 (36)
That's over a one month period, essentially February to March.
Speaker 3 (37)
And the writer?
Speaker 2 (38)
Well, you can't really get going on your writing until you've got quite a bit of the research done, so that's really March to May, with the hand in date on the twenty first.
Speaker 2 (39)
Any more questions?
Speaker 1 (40)
Now you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30.
Speaker 1 (41)
Now listen to the rest of the discussion and answer questions 27 to 30.
Speaker 3 (42)
Well, sir, just some advice, really.
Speaker 3 (43)
It's about computers.
Speaker 3 (44)
Would you advise us to buy one?
Speaker 2 (45)
What can I say, Andy?
Speaker 2 (46)
I know it's a massive expense, but I really feel it would be of great benefit.
Speaker 2 (47)
You can always look in the student union adverts for secondhand ones.
Speaker 4 (49)
I've been looking at some of last year's dissertations.
Speaker 3 (50)
Is that a good idea, sir?
Speaker 2 (52)
Well, I don't think you should read them in detail too early, or you might end up taking more of their ideas than you realize.
Speaker 2 (53)
But, yes, it really is the best guide you can have to the expectations of the of what's expected when you write a dissertation.
Speaker 3 (54)
Sorry, Jane.
Speaker 3 (55)
I interrupted you.
Speaker 4 (56)
That's okay.
Speaker 4 (57)
It's just that they did a lot of research using questionnaires.
Speaker 4 (58)
Is that a good idea?
Speaker 2 (59)
I think questionnaires are very good at telling you how people fill in questionnaires.
Speaker 2 (60)
Uh, but to be frank, they tell you very little else.
Speaker 2 (61)
Avoid them.
Speaker 3 (62)
Um, about interviews, is it okay if we interview you?
Speaker 2 (63)
The tutors?
Speaker 2 (64)
I don't see why not.
Speaker 2 (65)
They don't have any special contribution to make, but you can if you want.
Speaker 2 (66)
There's a whole section on this issue in the research guide.
Speaker 2 (67)
I'm afraid it's slightly out of date, and you're probably better talking to the tutor on the research methods course, but you might find it useful to start there.
Speaker 2 (71)
Well, great.
Speaker 2 (72)
I hope that sorted a few things out.
Speaker 2 (73)
You can always come and see me or drop me a note if you've got any more queries.
Speaker 1 (78)
That is the end of section three.
Speaker 1 (79)
You will now have half a minute to check your answers.
Speaker 1 (80)
Now turn to section four.
