Has anyone written at Masters level, do you have time on your hands?

[MakeMineALarge1]

I appear to have signed up for a module at Uni which is to be marked at level 7 - I have only written at level 6.

There are only 2 of us being funded to to this course, I was asked to do it.

I don't want to let myself or my unit down, please, can anyone help me, by proof reading, critiquing etc?

You probably need to specify what area it’s in?

My advice is synythesise, synthesise, synthesise! At level 7 you would be expected to have a reasoned and supported opinion on what you have been asked to read/explore based on the wider literature. Also, your arguments should be so strong and consistent that your tutor should be able to lift any paragraph out of your assignment and know what your introduction and conclusion is from reading that alone. Get your referencing and formatting down perfectly and proofread more than you think.

@thepricklysheep
Nursing

Don't want to say too much as there are only 2 people being funded from my unit.

@ChocolateSantaisthebestkind
That is where I fall down, I describe rather then analyse.

Why have I agreed to this?????

Ask for some distinction level 7 examples. Then go through and highlight the body paragraphs in different colours: writer's points, source support, elaboration/development and evaluation/analysis.
Then go back to the introduction and highlight thesis, etc. Then the conclusion.
Also ask for a pass example (which will be more descriptive), do the same and compare.

Universities usually have writing workshops for level 7. Ask to join as soon as you can.

You've been asked to join, so they think you're more than capable!! Don't panic, don't lose confidence! It's a small step from description to analysis. You can do this!

Thank you @thing

If analysis is your weak point, there are lots of resources online about critical analysis @MakeMineALarge1. Your university will probably have a course too.

For proofreading always print out and step away for 24 hours. Otherwise your brain sees what should be there not what is there. Highlighter in hand read aloud (ear and eye is much better at picking up than eye alone) and highlight errors. Do not fix as you go. Once the whole document is highlighted, go back and fix, crossing out the errors as you go. If you have time, print out and do again.

There should be an academic skills service at your uni. They usually offer workshops and some level of individual support.

Sorry, last thing. Lol

Hedge hedge hedge with cautious language. No absolute statements, hedge your points. "The advantages may outweigh the disadvantages."
Don't blindly trust your sources' opinions. "Smith (2017) seems to say that....." etc.

That surprises me about avoiding absolute statements or using phrases like 'seems to say'. It might be discipline-specific and I'm not in nursing or a related field, but I would have expected most disciplines would recommend exactly the opposite.

As Nursing is evidence based the most important thing is that the quality of the evidence you’re using is good. Look at the hierarchy of evidence if you’ve not heard of it before.

No need to be wish washy if it’s relevant and the evidence strongly supports x,y or z. As long as the evidence is Clinical guidelines, Cochrane reviews etc... and not stuff you find on Google.

Not much time but quite a lot of relevant experience. Pm me?

Don't panic. You have been asked to do it - they think you are capable.

All analysis involves the ability to call out bullshit and recognise strong arguments - you can do that. The masters bit is usually about a mastery of the literature in your area - so you are able to read different opinions and say "smith says X on this point, Jones disagrees and says Y, I think Jones is correct because ... but smith has a point when she says ...."

It's no different to reading a Mumsnet thread and commenting on it - you read and make your own decisions

You can do this !

You can do it. Also, second the thread advice about accessing student writing support services, almost all unis. have these nowadays. It's a real big help that you know that you describe rather than analyse from the start, because you can catch yourself doing it as you go.

I did critical care at level 7. It's a step up from level 6 in that you need to use excellent sources, or at least be very clear about the weaknesses of a source you choose. You need to expand your arguments more fully and link concepts clearly, considering the interplay between those concepts e.g. quality care Vs staffing pressures and task based Vs outcome based goals.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=my.cumbria.ac.uk/media/MyCumbria/Documents/CriticalWritingExamples.doc&ved=2ahUKEwjEhrGcudjuAhWNTcAKHcGPAqUQFjAKegQIDRAB&usg=AOvVaw0MUlUn6M4uN8jhAIXYj-se" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This is a good example for nursing of the difference between level 6 & 7.

Thank you everyone, some really helpful comments.

I am feeling more positive (that might be the half bottle of wine I have just consumed!!??)

Anyone want to write it for me??

Compare and Contrast the published literature, throw in a bit of research evidence and draw a conclusion from it. Stick to the referencing protocol and word limits throughout. Read the Question and Answer it - irrespective of what you might want to say.

And maybe appreciate that you have been given this opportunity - most Masters Students are self-funded, without any salary either.

If it's really is too much for you, which I'm sure it really isn't, better let someone else have a go.

Good Luck with it.

Thank you @lougle
it will be based on supporting critical care nurses

Reference everything you say. You can’t state a thing without a reference in a science based subject unless it is in your conclusion.
When I used to want to say something and couldn’t find a reference I used to put the statement into google books / scholar until I found whatever it was I wanted to say. Don't even think you can do that now but sure the internet is better to find stuff these days.

I would contract the library too. There is usually a librarian who can help you access relevant literature to use in your writing. I’m on first name terms with ours and she is amazing. I’m currently undertaking some research but am usually an academic.

Look for research that critiques or critically addressed research you discuss - opportunities for criticality lies in unpicking their relation to each other, as well as looking for gaps in an article by itself

Hedge hedge hedge with cautious language. No absolute statements, hedge your points. "The advantages may outweigh the disadvantages."
Don't blindly trust your sources' opinions. "Smith (2017) seems to say that....." etc.

This is poor advice. It will make you sound uncertain. If there are two sides to an argument, describe and evidence them both. If possible come to a conclusion about which of them is more persuasive.

But hedging is not a good practice

I’ve got 2 level 7 research essays to hand in.....I’ve been avoiding for this very reason 😬😬

Although I have not written at Master's level, I have two degrees and wrote well-received dissetations for both. At the risk of stating the obvious, will you not be having tutorials or meetings with a supervisor along the way? In which case they should flag up ways in which you could improve your analysis before final submission and, if they don't, ask! That is not to say that you should not aim to improve in the ways pps have suggested from the outset but it should be another lifeline. There's not even anything wrong with saying to your supervisor at your first meeting "I feel I'm a bit weak/inexperienced on the analytical side; Could you recommend anything to read about it/provide me with some examples?" (whatever you feel comfortable saying).