Mind Maps and deciding on your dissertation topic,Sarah Quinton MSc Marketing MSc Bus Admin,Learning Outcomes,Be able to use mind maps as a framework to assist the clarity and focus of your topic Understand the importance of writing a lot about a little, not vice versa Write in such a way that reflects what you have learnt about your topic and research design for an academic audience Feel confident in defining and refining your research proposal!,Mind Maps consist of,Non-linear mapping of thoughts Central idea located and clearly defined Key words Associations Clustering Colour coding in themes or importance Structure allows addition of new information,Use of Mind Maps,Assist creativity brainstorming Note taking Clarifying ideas Planning work Organising ideas Identifying connections between ideas,Generating Research Ideas,Rational,Emotive,A good research problem,Sets the boundaries clearly States the problem, separates any sub-problems Defines any key terms Research questions should solve the research problem May be written as a hypothesis (or hypotheses) to be tested,Brainstorming Process,Flexible group size Moderator to ensure equal participation Note taker to write down ALL suggestions NON JUDGEMENTAL at this stage Evaluate and prioritise later,Choosing and Formulating a research topic,You can use a variety of techniques to refine research ideas ideas can then be worked up or narrowed down you must then develop some clear research questions, themes or objectives linked to the relevant academic literature you propose to review.,Your choice of topic should be guided by the need to answer the following questions :,#1 what am I trying to cover i.e. what does it include or not include? #2 why is this subject important? #3 how extensive is the literature on this subject? #4 how far back does the literature on this subject go? # 5 what will I have to say about its validity, reliability and the extent to which it can be generalised?,The research proposal: The content of the research proposal should tell the reader what the research is intended to do, why it is necessary to do it, what it is trying to achieve and how you will achieve it,Your research proposal,Title - should clearly describe your proposed research Aims/objectives - what you intend to do, your 3- 5 key objectives Context and major publications - why it is worth doing refer to the relevant academic literature (the key authors) and theories show how your research proposal fits in an area of academic theory,Research proposal continued.,Approach how the literature search will be done How you propose to analyse it Time scale - milestones References - in correct format,Possible structure for dissertation,Introduction about 500-1,000 words Contextual information background, sector information etc the non-academic stuff 1000 words approx Literature review a critical evaluation of the academic literature 7,000-9,000 words Conclusions your evaluation of where the academic subject area you have reviewed now stands 1,000 words or more,Complete the tasks and the questions,What is your proposed research topic? Draw a mind map starting from your topic to establish the possible boundaries and range of your research What research themes are suggested by your research topic? To what area of academic literature does your research topic relate? Construct a revised mind map of one proposed topic.,Development of Research Ideas,Individually, spend 10-15 minutes mind mapping your initial research ideas Be prepared to discuss these,Themed Research Groups,Once you have identified others with similar research ideas, create a joint mind map of the subject and all the potential research problems you can think of,