Master's Dissertation support
LSE LIFE's Master's Dissertation talks and workshops guide students through the process of identifying a research topic, writing a research proposal, developing research question, and planning, conducting, and writing up their postgraduate research project. Events begin in Michaelmas Term, take place throughout Lent and Summer terms, and continue after the end of the academic year through July, August, and September. Booking is required for these events. Attendance is optional and free of charge.
In previous years, the series has included
How to get started on your dissertation
Write your research proposal
What is a literature review?
How to prepare to collect and analyse data
Develop your research question
Plan your dissertation research
Define, refine, and practice your dissertation literature search
Find and use social science data for your dissertation research
Develop and practise your search strategy for your literature review
Ethical issues in using social media data for your research
Create a storyboard to visualise your whole project
Write your data management plan
Address procrastination while doing your dissertation
Practical tips for qualitative research
Practical tips for quantitative research
Plan and conduct responsible, ethical research
Practical tips for working with research participants
Practical tips for planning and conducting interviews
Practical tips for transcribing qualitative data
Practical tips for doing thematic analysis
Practical tips for doing discourse analysis
How to write a master's dissertation
Structure your dissertation
Make a start writing your literature review
Perfectionism done is better than perfect!
Plan your summertime research and writing
Write a draft abstract
Write a great introduction to your dissertation
Reach a wider audience with your dissertation
Practical tips for anonymising your data and protecting your participants identity
Dissertation writing retreats
Proofread your draft dissertation
n.b. The "practical tips" workshops are not methods courses. Research methods courses are taught by the Methodology Department.
Resources and activities related to most of these sessions are available on the LSE LIFE Moodle page for access at any time. LSE LIFE Study Advisers are available for discussions related to most of the topics covered above, including many aspects of planning a research project, conducting independent research, and writing a dissertation. These one-to-one sessions are also available for booking throughout the academic year and over the summer.
See also:
LSE LIFE website for more information about these sessions and to book a place.
Online materials and resources (LSE user name and password required)