Dissertations & Projects

Useful Texts

The following books should prove useful for students undertaking research for projects and dissertations in the applied social sciences.

Electronic Texts:

• Aveyard, H. (2008) Doing a literature review in health and social care: a practical guide. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill/OUP.
• Bell, J. (2010) Doing your resarch project: a guide for first time researchers in education, health and social science. 5th edn. Maidenhead: OUP. 
• Berry, R. (2004) The research project: how to write it. 5th edn. London: Routledge.
• Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M. (2010) How to research. 4th edn. Maidenhead: Mcgraw Hill/OUP.
• Carey, M. (2009) The social work dissertation: using small scale qualitative methodology. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill/OUP.
• Kalof, L., Dan, A. and Dietz, T. (2008) Essentials of social research. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill/OUP.
• McMillan, K. and Weyers, J. (2010) How to write dissertations and project reports. Harlow: Prentice Hall.
• McNeil, P. and Chapman, S. (2005) Research methods. 3rd edn. London: Routledge. 
• Oliver, P. (2012) Succeeding with your literature review: a handbook for students. Maidenhead: OUP.
• Smith, K., Todd, M. and Waldman, J. (2009) Doing your undergraduate social science dissertation. London: Routledge.
• Smith, R. S. (2009) Doing social work research. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill/OUP.
• Whittaker, A. (2009) Research skills for social work. Exeter: Learning Matters.

 

Printed Texts:

• Greetham, B. (2009) How to write your undergraduate dissertation. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. 
•  Smith, K., Todd, M. and Waldman, J. (2009) Doing your undergraduate social science dissertation. London: Routledge. 

 

Useful Websites: 

• Higher Education Academy: Companion for undergraduate dissertations in the social sciences - a comprehensive resource aimed at supporting social science students with every aspect of planning, researching and writing undergraduate dissertations. There's lots of text here, but many pages also have associated video clips in which lecturers offer a range of helpful advice.  Particularly useful to students in Sociology and Social Work.

• Doing A Literature Search - a guide to doing a literature search written by your librarian.

 

Presentations:

Some dissertations may require you to make a presentation as part of your assessment. The following texts may prove useful:

• Bradbury, A. (2006) Successful presentation skills. London: Kogan Page.
• Chivers, B. and Shoolbred, M. (2007) A student's guide to presentations: making your presentation count. London: Sage.
• Levin, P. and Topping, G. (2006) Perfect presentations! Maidenhead: OUP.

 

Microsoft Powerpoint 2007

The following link will take you to the help guides section for Microsoft Powerpoint 2007. The Computer Skills Training Organization on Breo also has further interactive tutorials and help sheets.

 

Free Presentation Software

Prezi - is a cloudbased presentation software tool which allows you to present information in a non-linear way & include text, images and videos. For an idea of what Prezi is all about watch the video below from their website.