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NCFM Study Skills Guide

Reports, projects and dissertations

Student with headphones

You will likely be asked to undertake a variety of assignments, such as research projects, case studies and dissertations. Although they can be demanding, these projects are great opportunities to examine a subject in more depth. They are also an excellent means of developing skills and techniques that are useful both for study and, later, in employment.

This section will help you to:

  • Recognise the requirements of different types of research projects
  • Understand the benefits that research projects offer to students
  • Choose a topic and refine the scope of a research project or dissertation
  • Manage your research project or dissertation

 

Choosing your topic

Selection of desserts         "Choice is often a wonderful thing ..."

Factors that are worth considering when choosing your research subject

Why not use some of these strategies when choosing a topic for your next research project or assignment?

 

Organising your information

Recognise the importance of having structure and order in the way you manage ideas, notes and research material

Organising your information | Skills for Study

Planning your writing

 

 

A writing plan sets out the content you will include in a written assignment and helps you to arrive at a logical order in which to present this. Careful planning, thorough organisation and a clear structure can help you to clarify your thinking, structure your material, and avoid repetition.

There are several different planning techniques. As you gain experience in academic writing, you may identify one particular approach, or combination of approaches, that works well for you.