I’ve Graded 1000 Dissertations: Here’s Everything I Know

Summary

In this video, a professor shares insights from reviewing thousands of dissertations, highlighting six major mistakes students make. These include starting with an ill-formed research idea, failing to critically engage with literature, and neglecting the importance of a solid proposal and methodology. The professor emphasizes the importance of early planning, self-management, and understanding marking criteria. A key piece of advice is to be familiar with how dissertations are graded and to ensure all criteria are met. Students should also focus on critical evaluation to make their work stand out and improve their chances of a higher grade.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with ideas that are rooted in existing academic research, not random thoughts. Reverse engineer your research from studies in the field to ensure relevance and support.
• 😀 If your idea isn't working, don’t be afraid to let it go. It's better to change direction early than stick with a failing concept.
• 😀 Your dissertation proposal must be a standalone piece of work and should be given enough time and effort to ensure it meets the necessary standard.
• 😀 The quality of your dissertation proposal directly impacts your final dissertation. A strong proposal sets the groundwork for success.
• 😀 In a literature review, avoid just presenting theories. Critically engage with the literature that directly supports and justifies your research.
• 😀 Always be critical in your literature review, not just summarizing but evaluating, synthesizing, and positioning ideas within your own research context.
• 😀 Your methodology should go beyond standard approaches. Add extra layers and innovations to make your research stand out to the marker.
• 😀 Dissertation success isn't just about intellectual ability; personal management and self-care are key. Staying organized and protecting your mental well-being can make a big difference.
• 😀 Dissertation markers follow strict criteria. Make sure you are aware of your university's specific marking criteria and how they break down the dissertation into different components.
• 😀 A second marker will assess your dissertation based on the criteria, often without any context. Ensure that all necessary elements are included to avoid missing easy marks.
• 😀 Evaluation and criticality are central to a strong dissertation. Always approach your work with a critical mindset to ensure high-quality analysis and discussion.

Q & A

What is the biggest mistake students make in the idea generation stage of their dissertation?

The biggest mistake students make is starting with a random idea that is not rooted in the existing field of study. This makes it difficult to connect the idea to relevant literature and justify its academic relevance.

How can students avoid the mistake of starting with a random idea?

Students should reverse engineer their dissertation ideas by reviewing studies in their chosen area of research. They should replicate or slightly twist existing research to create a solid foundation for their own work.

What is the second common mistake students make regarding their dissertation ideas?

Students often become overly attached to an idea, even when it is failing or they are advised against it. This attachment makes it difficult to let go and move on to a better approach.

How can students overcome the attachment to a failing idea?

Students should learn to let go of ideas that are not working, no matter how much effort they have already put into them. It’s crucial to recognize when it’s better to start fresh and pursue a more viable direction.

Why is the proposal stage so important in the dissertation process?

The proposal stage is crucial because it serves as the blueprint for the entire dissertation. A well-structured proposal lays the foundation for the research, and those who invest effort at this stage tend to perform better in the final dissertation.

What is the most common mistake students make in their literature reviews?

The most common mistake is simply presenting literature without critically engaging with it. Students often list theories or concepts that are not directly relevant to their research, which diminishes the value of the literature review.

How can students improve the quality of their literature review?

Students should focus on discussing and analyzing literature that directly supports and justifies their research. They should engage critically with the literature, evaluating, synthesizing, and positioning it in relation to their work.

What is the role of critical engagement in the literature review?

Critical engagement involves not just summarizing the literature, but evaluating, comparing, and synthesizing ideas. This demonstrates academic skill and helps position the student's research in the broader academic conversation.

What makes a good methodology in a dissertation?

A good methodology is one that is robust, contemporary, and innovative. Students should avoid using basic, standard methods and instead seek to add unique elements or approaches that demonstrate extra effort and thought.

Why is personal management and self-care important during the dissertation process?

Effective personal management is essential because many dissertation failures result from poor time management or lack of mental clarity. Students need to maintain their well-being and energy to sustain the rigorous demands of dissertation writing.