Dissertation...ugh

pow wow

Ok don't laugh.

I'm a history/politics student and have to do my dissertation this year. I studied abroad last year so missed the 'dissertation preparation' module and basically no-one is being very helpful. My studies advisor is on a leave of absence (has been since start of the yr!) and I am going to see another professor about it next week but in the meantime...

In general, is your dissertation topic meant to be a question or just a statement? Like for example, say I'm interested in the Famine. Can you just write about the Famine (like xyz happened) or do you have to be more precise and have a question to be answered (eg: How did the experience of women in the famine compare to that of men?).

I know I sound like I'm nuts but I have no clue about it an no-one I ask wants to help! I have a couple of areas I'm interested in but I can't think of a specific aspect of those areas to be precise about.

SpitfireIV

ellscurr wrote: »

In general, is your dissertation topic meant to be a question or just a statement? Like for example, say I'm interested in the Famine. Can you just write about the Famine (like xyz happened) or do you have to be more precise and have a question to be answered (eg: How did the experience of women in the famine compare to that of men?).

Yeah, generally with a dissertation you are answering a question, or a looking into a philosophy you may have on a certain topic rather than putting down all the facts on a period of history. You may have one particular aspect that you would like to research further in the hope of answering some questions and possibly providing a basis for further work.

Susannahmia

Here's a resource that I find quite usefull.:)http://www.socscidiss.bham.ac.uk/s1.html

pow wow

Thanks guys