Dissertation stuff

Discussion in 'Training & Development' started by zxspectrum, May 29, 2008.

  1. zxspectrum

    zxspectrum Terabyte Poster Forum Leader Gold Member

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    Hi all, hows tricks

    Im stuck with no where to turn and i need to pick peoples brains from here. I need to do 2 things, i firstly need to do 1500 words on a dissertation topic etc, explaining what route ill take how ill go about things etc and so on , then i need to do a dissertation on the actual topic i choose. This is where i get stuck, on the topic. I dont have a clus when it comes to picking stuff like this ive always been indecisive.

    One topic i though of was should the internet be regulated, and for this i would try and give argument for and against, and also i would set out a questionnaire for people to answer etc. But am i leaving my self open to too much interrogation from the tutors. I really need a pointer in how to go about picking a subject, any ideas would be great.

    Ed
     
    Certifications: BSc computing and information systems
    WIP: 70-680
  2. simongrahamuk
    Honorary Member

    simongrahamuk Hmmmmmmm?

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    are there any limitations as to what topics you can choose?
     
  3. greenbrucelee
    Highly Decorated Member Award

    greenbrucelee Zettabyte Poster

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    I didn't have to do a final dissertation but I did have to do a 1500 word report on any subject related to my HND.

    I did why Oracle was far superior to access when it came to relational database development.

    If I was to do a dissertation I would do it on a subject I found interesting and one that I knew very well, make sure you research your arguments as your thoughts on something may not be correct (but you can put these are my thoughts and why I think them).

    Also if you are going to get peoples opinions make sure its represented well like in a graph or pie chart etc.

    hope this helps.
     
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  4. dmarsh
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    dmarsh Petabyte Poster

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    Personally I wouldn't expect a questionaire to qualify as a Computer Science or IT dissertation, I'd expect you to design or build something that works. The work undertaken should therefore make a presentation or thesis easy as it would provide you with a lot to talk about.
     
  5. hippy

    hippy Kilobyte Poster

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    Do you have to make an artifact? If you do, you need to program something...
     
  6. Kitkatninja
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    Kitkatninja aka me, myself & I Moderator

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    I don't think that he would just submit the questionaire as his dissertation, rather use the info gathered as reseach for his dissertation. When I was doing my degree, for our dissertation we either had to produce a 15,000 word dissertation or a 12,000 word one with a working program.

    -ken
     
    Certifications: MSc, PGDip, PGCert, BSc, HNC, LCGI, MBCS CITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, MCE, A+, N+, S+, Server+
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  7. zxspectrum

    zxspectrum Terabyte Poster Forum Leader Gold Member

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    Hi again folks cheers for your feedback on this

    There is no limit to what i can choose tho to make things easier it would have to be IT related. I spose the reason i am thinking of the internet regulation question is that ithas plenty of avenues to go down and a fair bit of coverage etc. I originally was going to try and do something on quantum computing but thought better of it, tho i do find it fascinating, id still not know where to start.

    In regards to the questionnaire it would be supporting evidence to what i was researching rather than just giving my opining, i would have other opinions from a broad spectrum of people.

    we have been given the choice of project or dissertation, and i have chosen dissertation due to id find it more enjoyable, if i can use it in this sense, as a project in my eyes would be best done in a team.

    Ed
     
    Certifications: BSc computing and information systems
    WIP: 70-680
  8. kat731
    Honorary Member

    kat731 Megabyte Poster

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    Uugghh.... the very word brings back horrible memories!!:eek:

    Kat
     
    Certifications: BA (Hons), A+
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  9. kevicho

    kevicho Gigabyte Poster

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    If possible write about a subject you are passionate about, and have a reasonable knowledge depth, but i think the regulated internet idea is a bit of a minefield, as the Phorm issue (and where many suspect it is leading us) is showing us
     
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  10. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    LOL - I know what you mean, I used to cringe when someone would ask me that dreaded question, so how's your dissertaion going and have you finish it!:dry

    :hhhmmm mmmI'm not sure about doing on the internet though? Maybe hackers and security systems or network systems?? Or even maybe the big question is there a place in the IT market for graduates?

    A question that seems to be asked which is better certs or degress??:blink
     
    Certifications: Comptia A+
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  11. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Good point:rocks
     
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  12. Mathematix

    Mathematix Megabyte Poster

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    First off, there are no shortcuts to a good dissertation. Whichever topic you choose should be one that encourages research and learning. When I was a student I put forward a proposal for a dissertation that was rejected on the grounds that it wasn't challenging enough. I ended up developing an neural network to diagnose the various forms of multiple sclerosis, which required me to polish-up on my knowledge of neural nets significantly and dive into neuroscience to learn about neural cells, their structure, how they nourish themselves, how that communicate, etc. I recall buying an entire cell biology book so that I could not only learn about MS, but also contrast the structure of my NN with that of the biological brain.

    The key to getting all this done was:

    1. I had a passion for the subject.
    2. It could be done, but I couldn't bluff my way passed the project.
    3. It kept me very, very busy.

    Dissertations are supposed to be challenging. Don't be scared of it - embrace the challenge and get that degree! :biggrin
     
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  13. BosonMichael
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    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

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    There's no escaping that... they're not gonna let you off scott free just because you picked a good topic... they're gonna interrogate you one way or another. The point of a dissertation defense is simply this: can you logically defend whichever viewpoint you take? If so, you're good to go. You don't have to be *right*... you just have to be able to defend your viewpoints logically.
     
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  14. Sparky
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    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    Know what you mean mate, my dissertation was 20,000 words! :eek:

    Then there was a final presentation.... :ohmy
     
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