Useful resources for dissertation preparation

As we are aware, many of you are currently in the planning stages of undergraduate and postgraduate theses.

There are numerous valuable resources available online to help guide you through the crucial stages of planning your research design, outlining a theoretical framework, writing a literature review and choosing the appropriate methodology.

Here are just a few recommendations to get you started...


Emerald - Perhaps you have noticed the 'Research Zone' in the panel of options on the left of the Emerald search screen. Here you will find a research 'how to...' section which features guides on writing a literature review, implementing various research methodologies, presenting your research and even help on finding ideas.
Though Emerald is predominantly a management database, arts students should not overlook what is available in the 'research zone' as the 'how to' guides offer practical advise on structure and methodology which is relevant to any discipline.

Bryman's Social Research Methods Online Resource Centre; This is the companion site to the book that many of you who have done a module on research methods will be familliar with (available in DBS library class mark 300.72 Bry). This site features the student researchers toolkit, case studies and podcasts.

Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) - This site focuses on research in a wider context but the 'Research evaluation' section in the academic area provides links to guidelines for assessing and evaluating research projects so is a good place to get an idea of the criteria on which you should be analysing other researchers work for your literature review.

Another good quick evaluation tool is the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme's '10 tools for evaluating qualitative research' - click HERE to go to the PDF online.

A good guide for writing literature reviews is available on NUI Maynooth's site - click HERE to go directly to the PDF.


Intute - Always a good place to start looking for sources for any project. Intute's Social Science Research Tools and methods portal links to numerous resources on quantitative and qualitative research methods.


Finally... you're all familliar with YouTube but have you ever used it for educational resources?
The University of Hertfordshire have created a video tutorial programme in which students and tutors share their advice and experience on the dissertation writing process. It can be accessed HERE - or search YouTube for 'Stride' project.