Introducing the dissertation and ethics

 Undergraduate
Applying/understanding known knowledge
and theory

 Doctoral/Post Doctorate
Creating NEW knowledge NEW concepts NEW
theory

 So common sense ....... PG is somewhere in

between
 Extend known knowledge and theory

Critical Evaluation of literature and evidence

Challenge, develop, adapt theoretical and

practice models
 What can be achieved in 15,000 words?

 So topic selection and question setting is

critical

Good dissertations have narrow and defined

parameters

You are not finding the answer to world

poverty
 IR35 compliance with an NHS hospital

 Evaluation of leadership styles within Co X to

enhance company culture

 An evaluation of the gender pay gap in UK

tech companies

 Evaluating culture in designing a marketing

campaign
 Share and discuss potential areas for your
research

 What interest you?

 What is the problem that deserves your

research

 What does literature say?

 Rationale
What are you setting out to do?
Why are you attempting to do this
 Literature
What research has been undertaken in your
area
What key theories will be considered
 Research Questions and Objectives
 What is your preferred methodology
 Expected analytical techniques
 Introduction
Why is this topic so important
What is the problem
What do you plan to achieve (RO & RQ)
 Methods and Methodology
 Critical review of literature
 Data Analysis
 Conclusions and recommendations

 But don’t be afraid to look at alternatives

 Meaningful research questions

 Depth of knowledge at limits of current

understanding

 Research from a variety of sources

 Independent research

 Communicate

 Methodology
 Evidence gained solely from published and
publically available data.

So what might this be?

 But as soon as you speak to someone or

access private data .....
 Data from

 People

 Organisations

 Non-public databases

 Whether or not anonymity is guaranteed

 Risk
to you
the person
the data

 But it does provide much richer evidence

 Applies to all ARU students and staff and all
students from our Franchise Associate Colleges

 Research Ethics Subcommittee (RESC), Faculty

Research Ethics Panels (FREPs) and Departmental
Research Ethics Panels (DREPs)

 Academic Regulations, Research Degrees

Regulations, Student Charters, Guidance for
examiners
 Constitution of the Senate and its Standing
Committees

 http://web.anglia.ac.uk/anet/academic/

 DREP decisions must be ratified by FREP

 If DREPs wish to request for additional documents

need approval from RESC
 Approve outright
 Offer approval subject to certain conditions
 Request specific revisions, which may be
approved by Chair’s Action or the full
committee
 Request a full resubmission
 Referral to another FREP/DREP
 Reject outright
 www.anglia.ac.uk/researchethics

 Ethics Policy, Code of Practice for Applying

for Ethical Approval, Question-specific advice
for ethics application forms
 Everyone MUST complete a checklist

 Outcomes
- no risk with supervisor sign off
- low risk with DREP review
- medium risk; extra data needed
If you feel this may apply then speak to me
VERY soon as process takes a long time
- high risk – just don’t go there
 For Undergraduate and Masters students
and their supervisors:
https://vle.anglia.ac.uk/sites/non-
mod/ethics1/Pages/Home3.aspx

 You must take a screen shot of your test results

and attach to ethics application
 Academic choice is made by the course leader
and academics teaching on the programme

 Based upon:
Research subject
Availability and specialisms of the supervisor

 You cannot choose a supervisor

but ..
 Think about potential research topics
Draft required of ethics form Saturday 13
October

 27 October prepare your literature