This webinar focuses on the importance of preparing and planning your social science dissertation. Charlotte and Jamie discuss issues such as choosing a topic and the most appropriate method, considering the ethical sensitivities of your project, as well as top tips for managing your supervisor. The webinar draws on their own experiences of convening a large interdisciplinary dissertation module, as well as input from recent social science graduates. Some of these themes are explored in more detail in Brookfield, C and Lewis, J (2022) Sage Super Quick Skills: Plan your Dissertation.  

"It can be difficult to pick a topic to research. You may take inspiration from topics you have learnt about, events happening in the media, or even your own hobbies." (p. 31)
Brookfield, C and Lewis, J (2022)

What do I need to read before I start my dissertation?

"Research should be grounded in relevant literature. This includes academic literature published in journals and books, research reports, textbooks, professional literature, websites, and other publications including podcasts and news reports" (p.69)
Brookfield, C and Lewis, J (2022)

Databases to use for research. 

1. Google Scholar
2. Scopus
3. ASSIA (applied social sciences index and abstracts)
4. ProQuest Sociology Collection
5. OECD iLibrary
6.  Legalisation.Gov.uk
7. Nexis

By Charlotte Brookfield and Jamie Lewis
Charlotte Brookfield is a senior lecturer of Social Sciences at Cardiff University. Jamie Lewis is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University.