Critical events in bachelor's and taught master's dissertation writing : a case study and model

Abstract

Dissertation writing at bachelor’s and master’s levels is a process presenting challenges that must be overcome for the successful completion of the degree programmes. Factors such as unclear expectations and the assumption of competence can generate situations jeopardising successful dissertation outcomes. This study applies an instrumental case study approach to chart the lived experience of one student’s dissertation writing journeys at undergraduate and taught master’s levels. It uses interviews, journey plots and email correspondence to provide insights identifying factors that feed into critical event scenarios during the writing process. Following thematic analysis, the themes Supervision, Feedback and University Regulations were identified and discussed in relation to the emotions in the journey plots of the two dissertations. A categorisation of critical event factors is provided and used for a tentative model of a critical event scenario in an attempt to contribute useful insights into dissertation writing pedagogy and related institutional policies.

Waqt il-proċess tal-kitba ta’ dissertazzjonijiet fuq livell ta’ Baċellerat jew Masters, l-istudenti jaffaċċjaw sfidi li jridu jissuperaw biex jispiċċaw il-kors. Jista’ jkollhom problemi serji biex ilestu l-kitba tad-dissertazzjoni u jgħaddu mill-kors jekk l-aspettazzjonijiet tagħna ma jkunux ċari jew jekk nassumu li l-istudenti diġà għandhom il-kapaċitajiet meħtieġa biex jagħmlu xogħolhom. Dan l-istudju juża l-ġrajjiet ta’ studenta li kitbet dissertazzjoni tal- Baċellerat u wara dissertazzjoni għall-kors ta’ taught masters biex jitfa’ dawl fuq il-proċess tal-kitba f’dawn il-livelli. Nużaw intervisti, plotts tal-proċess tal-kitba u korrispondenza bl-email biex nagħtu indikazzjonijiet ta’ ġrajjiet kritiċi waqt il-proċess tal-kitba. Analiżi tematika wriet li t-temi prinċipali li ħarġu mill-istudju kienu dawk tas-Superviżjoni, Feedback u r-Regolamenti tal-Università. Dawn iddiskutejniehom flimkien mal-emozzjonijiet li dehru fil-plotts talproċess tal-kitba. Ġbarna f’kategoriji l-fatturi li jagħtu xi ħjiel li jista’ jkun ta’ siwi għall-pedagoġija tal-kitba tad-dissertazzjonijiet u l-policies istituzzjonali relatati u ħloqna mudell tentattiv ta’ ġrajja kritika.