CONTEXT OF PRACTICE 3 - LECTURE 3

Notes taken during the second context of practice lecture 'Resolving your Research Project and Academic Conventions'.

CONTEXT OF PRACTICE 3 - FORMATIVE FEEDBACK 2

Today I had my second formative feedback session with Richard in which we reviewed my current progression with the dissertation.

During the tutorial we reviewed my progress with chapter one of the dissertation of which I had written around two thousand words. In the session we reviewed the dissertations current structure, information discussed and the relevance material used to support my points.

FEEDBACK SHEET 

During the session important points that were discussed were noted on the feedback sheet that displayed below;

IMPORTANT POINTS;

INTRODUCTION & CONCLUSION -

• Each chapter needs and introduction which should discuss the focus and points featured within the specified chapter and the academic material that has been used to support it.
• Additionally, a conclusion also needs to be created for each chapter which should summarise the points discussed, their relevance and lead into the next chapter of the dissertation.
• Focus on the 3 or 4 main issues responsible for the environmental problems relevant to the dissertation and highlight these in the chapter, introduction and conclusion.

STATISTICS -

• Find statistics to back up points made about the environmental situation. 
• Don't over do it with statistics, find relevant ones that support the points made within the dissertation.
• Expand sources used to support argument, the more sources used will help to make the dissertation more rounded and valid.

ADDITIONAL -

• Quotes need to be indented.
• Only second name, date and page number needed for in chapter referencing.

PROGRESSION;

The session was really useful as it highlighted the areas that need to be addressed to help make my dissertation more rounded. Tasks that will be completed to help me progress for the session are listed below;

• Write introduction and conclusion for each chapter.
• Find statistics to support my argument.
• Expand sources used to support argument.

CONTEXT OF PRACTICE 3 - DISSERTATION PLAN

After my tutorial with Richard I created a new refined and more detailed essay plan to help structure the dissertation when I start writing it. As mentioned in the formative feedback blog post my previous structure was vague and was created for the purpose of showing Richard the direction I would like the dissertation will take. The structure was revised during the session to make it more focused and so, after the session the plan needed rewriting in more detail with the outlined amendments made. 

CONTEXT OF PRACTICE 3 - FORMATIVE FEEDBACK

Today I had a formative feedback session with Richard in which I presented my initial research and direction currently completed as part of the COP module. 

During the tutorial I talked about project aspects that were relevant to the dissertation to ensure I got the most informed and applicable responses from Richard. Topics covered where;

• My current research and its relevance. 
• My current reading list.
• Books ordered.
• Rough dissertation plan.

Images below evidence the aspects discussed during the tutorial;

FEEDBACK SHEET 

During the session important notes relevant to my progression from the tutorial were evidenced on the sheet displayed below.

IMPORTANT POINTS;

REFINED STRUCTURE -

The aspect most discussed during the session was the current structure of the dissertation. At the point of the tutorial I presented the rough structure displayed in the images above, which split the dissertation into six sections;

1. Introduction.
2. Current environmental issues - problem, reaction.
3. Transformational festivals - values and ethics.
4. Festival impact - Effect on attendants.
5. Implementation - Can values be integrated into society.
6. Conclusion. 

However, Richard highlighted the fact that the last two sections on 'Festival Impact' and 'Implementation' were almost identical and should be combined into one larger, focused section, and so the structure was slightly adapted. The revised structure is relatively the same as the one presented during the session but combines the last two areas into one cohesive section. 

1. Introduction.
2. Current environmental issues.
3. Transformational festvals.
4. Impact.
5. Conclusion. 

RESEARCH -

Currently I have a large body of primary research that was collected from Boom festival in Portugal however, this currently needs evidencing on my blog. Therefore, one task that needs to be completed is the blogging of all material collected from the event. Additionally, when discussing the 'Impact' section of the dissertation it was mentioned that more primary research will need to be collected reviewing the impact transformational events have on their attendants. Therefore, interviews and/or a survey will need to be organised and conducted as part of the module.

PHYSICAL OUTCOME -

As of yet, the ideas generated for the physical outcome that will be produced as part of the module lack relevance to the dissertations content and fail to completely represent the points that will be covered. When discussing my proposed directions with the physical outcome it was suggested that I should spend time further developing ideas. 

PROGRESSION 

Overall, the session was really helpful and got me motivated to make a real start on the dissertation. Tasks that will be completed to help me progress for the session are listed below;

• Structure - Write detailed chapter structure. 
• Research - Interview festival attendants.
• Physical outcome - Develop ideas.
• Dissertation - Start writing.
• Email Richard - Two chapters, 17th November.