Dissertation Writing in Practice: Turning Ideas into Text

Answer Key

Chapter 1 Task 1.1 Step 1: Sentence 1 Step 2: Sentences 2–5 Step 3: Sentence 6 Step 4: Sentence 11 Task 1.2 comprehensive/detailed in-depth, not superficial focussed on the important issues organised thematically analytical critical up-to-date claims supported with evidence from sources accurate in-text citations matching the list of references provides regular summaries highlighting important information serves as a basis to identify the research gap Task 1.3 Text 1: 2.1 Bone formation Answer Key 172 ANSWER KEY 2.2 Bone remodeling 2.3 A mouse model with progressive hyperostosis Text 2: 2.1 Approaches to style analysis 2.2 Uses and applications of style analysis 2.3 Property price indices 2.4 Objectives and hypotheses Task 1.4 Text 1: Q1: Data is not available for prepubescent girls as a group separate from boys. Q2: The researchers will investigate the effects of exercise training on aerobic and anaerobic performance of prepubescent girls. Q3: They point out that there are significant differences between prepubescent boys and girls in aerobic and anaerobic performance. Therefore one might expect differences in response. Text 2: Q1: Style analysis is rarely carried out in the field of real estate and, when attempted, is restricted to property funds only. Q2: They will investigate whether style analysis can be applied to property companies also. Q3: They argue that property companies and property funds have similar characteristics. (Therefore, one would expect style analysis to be applicable to companies also.) Q4: It identifies what it is necessary to do in order to carry out the research. It also justifies the approaches used in the research as they are the ones most favoured in the literature. Task 1.5 (i) Yes. (ii) Yes, but it has been set as a null hypothesis, indicating that there is no difference between implied and actual property allocations. It 173 ANSWER KEY could be set as a directional hypothesis indicating that either implied property allocations are greater than or less than actual property allocations. Whether set as a directional or null hypothesis, ‘should’ is incorrect. (iii) Yes. (iv) Yes. Task 1.6 Question: What are the effects of exercise training on the aerobic and anaerobic performance of prepubescent girls? It is unlikely that a hypothesis would have been tested as no boys were involved in this particular study to be able to consider the difference between the response of boys and girls to aerobic and anaerobic training. Moreover, the authors acknowledge that there is sparse data available in this area, so there would be little evidence from previous research to base a hypothesis upon. Chapter 2 Task 2.1 Extract 1 Ozanne and Murdoch (1990) Both citations refer to criticisms Dennis (1988) of previous research, which lends support to the method selected in the current study. The method was, in fact, suggested by Dennis. Extract 2 Final four lines of the text starting ‘Appleton et al. 1990’ in brackets. These citations support the earlier statement ‘Such a decline in intellectual ability has frequently been documented …’ The numerous citations lend support to the fact that this has indeed been frequent. 174 ANSWER KEY Extract 3 Caplan and Hildebrandt (1988) and Kay et al. (1992) are mentioned to suggest specific examples of assessment tools used by other researchers, which might be better than the measures they used in their own research. (It is generally a good idea to suggest specific improvements, if possible, rather than to make a vague suggestion of ‘using other measures’.) Extract 4 Bruce (1983) and Hudson et al. (1989) are used to show familiarity with the field as a means of supporting the authors’ findings/conclusion. Task 2.2 Extract 1 Reporting verb Meaning conveyed by the verb have speculated The writers indicate that there have been no empirical investigations, only unsupported ideas. have … investigated The writers neutrally report the existence of a few empirical studies, giving no indication of a positive or negative attitude towards them. asserted The original researcher (Kent) is reported as being very certain that his/her findings were correct. found The writers are reporting on a single completed study and are quite neutral about the findings; one study does not necessarily provide proof. acknowledge The writers indicate that other researchers recognise the situations. Acknowledge can indicate that acceptance of something was reluctant, but there is no indication of that here. 175 ANSWER KEY Extract 2 Reporting...