Dissertation help

[identitytalks]

I'm doing a 'politics, society and policy' course.

I'm in 3rd year and working on my dissertation.

My main topic is alcoholism. I wanted to let explore 'Did Covid 19 lockdown have a larger impact on alcoholics compared to general population of the UK.'

I'm so confused though. I'm obviously doing a qualitative research. I can't figure out what to include in my dissertation.

@SnackSizeRaisin

I spoke to my tutor and he said he thinks it would be a great idea. I told him about th survey and he said it'll be fine

So what's the problem then? Just do the survey that your tutor has approved and write up the results.

The problem will be if there is no previous research to use to discuss in relation to providing rationale for the study and the results.

If your university has an ethical approval procedure as part of your dissertation - please do not gather any data until you have passed it! I’m supervising MA students at the minute and the idea of one of my students contacting people and organisations on a sensitive topic like alcoholism without ethical approval would give me kittens!

Ultimately it’s your tutor you need to ask these questions too, they will have the marks scheme for your course in mind - expectations across social science traditions about what is rigorous and substantial research (particularly at undergrad level) differs quite a lot - so you’re going to get a range of responses here, but ultimately we don’t know what your dissertation will specifically be assessed on.

If you’re not able to contact your supervisor yet, have you got a personal tutor you could talk to about this?

Otherwise, as PPs have said, you are better off focusing on reviewing existing literature for now - this will help you get a sense of the methodologies other comparable studies have done, as well as potentially identify the specific ‘gap’ your research might address.

Good luck with it all!

Then you need to clarify this immediately as it will obviously massively impact what you write. I haven't written 2 research proposals, one for my degree, one for my masters. Conducting actual research can take months if not years. What does the guidance for the assignment say?

@bennibooboo yes, it's something I struggle with myself

@SnarkyBag So my question is why

[quote identitytalks]@SnarkyBag So my question is why[/quote]
Sorry I’m not sure what you mean? You’re question is why what?

I actually thank you alll. I'm gona check
Out here. I want to die. Have a nice night

@identitytalks

You said you've sorted the ethics side. That usually needs quite specific ideas about what questions you are going to ask. Do you know what your data pool will be?

I think you just need to have a think about what you want to know and how youd find that out

for example are you interested in changes in alcohol consumption?
Changes in mood? If so would you use a recognised depression scale eg beck to get your questions from?

Are you ifn

Re. Ethics, this is even more important if you intend to involve live participants. If these participants are vulnerable, clearing your ethical approval can be even more complicated. Universities can't afford to get this wrong, and what you can do will depend on the extent to which they're prepared to put their heads on the chopping block for an undergraduate study.

Don't assume that they will. Read your university's ethics policy in detail before deciding on any form of qualitative methodology. You don't want to be wasting your efforts.

@identitytalks

Its really tricky. It sounds like you've got some time to work this out. Youve got a solid starting question, and a really interesting area.

Its normal for the question to change a lot to begin with. Sounds like you supervisor thinks you are on the right track

Research is all a bit alien to start with, and its easy to get overwhelmed.

Please look after yourself. Have a chat with uni support about how you are feeling. Do you feel safe for tonight?

This thread is not quite right... I don't understand why people are just carrying on answering the questions when the OP is writing so strangely. OP are you OK?

No don’t check out OP please stay. I remember having to figure out your research question for dissertation honestly the cohort was banging their heads against the wall trying to figure out variables and tweaking the question.
Come back to the tomorrow with a clear head. It’s a process that starts off really murky but things do start to become clear once you’ve waded through the pre research part.

@identitytalks

I actually thank you alll. I'm gona check Out here. I want to die. Have a nice night

I'm bothered by this comment. I hope you are okay OP. It's normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. A good supervisor can guide you through the necessary steps. Please don't panic, you're going to be okay.

@ItsAllBlahBlahBlah

This thread is not quite right... I don't understand why people are just carrying on answering the questions when the OP is writing so strangely. OP are you OK?

The OP mentions she struggles with alcohol so that may be affecting her posts. I hope she comes back

Yes OP, do you need some support tonight? I’ve just asked MNHQ to give you some suggestions for help.

People need to hear the questions behind the quesrion.

Research can feel very overwhelming but you’ll find a plan.
Hope you’re ok. Take a break maybe.

Hi identitytalks,

We are really sorry to hear you are feeling this way.

We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged up to us we usually add a link to our Mental Health resources. You can also go to the Samaritans website or email them on [email protected]. Support from other Mumsnetters is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek real-life help and support as well.

Some further support links you may find useful:

NHS: Where to get urgent help for mental health
NHS: Looking after your mental health
MIND: Coping with mental health problems during coronavirus

CALM: The Campaign Against Living Miserably
NHS: Help for suicidal thoughts

We hope things look a lot brighter for you very soon.
Very best wishes from MNHQ.

@ItsAllBlahBlahBlah

This thread is not quite right... I don't understand why people are just carrying on answering the questions when the OP is writing so strangely. OP are you OK?

I'd X-posted before reading the OP's last but shared your concerns as soon as I saw this.

I'm an academic, albeit in a different discipline; also the daughter of an alcoholic who grew up with this scourge on my life and the sister of a sibling who is also battling an addiction to alcohol. I'm a member of a family support group. OP, if you think I can help you in any way you are welcome to message me. Sorry to hear you are going through this

OP I feel for you. I'm a recovering alcoholic, have been for many years, and while I think it's a very important area for study I also know it can sometimes feel very overwhelming to contemplate its implications for our own mental and emotional health at times - especially if it feels too close to home, in some shape or form. You really sound like you could do with a break from worrying about your dissertation, just to give you a bit of breathing space so that you can come back to it refreshed in a day or two? Then you could gradually re-read the suggestions people here have offered and take on board the ones that feel useful to you (and not too overwhelming!) It must be really frustrating not to be able to discuss things with your tutor for the time being, but on the other hand you could use this period to pull together what you're confident you have a bit of a handle on, and make a list of the more uncertain stuff for your next tutorial opportunity. Try not to give up between now and then but remember it's a process of gathering your thoughts and any information you can access, and don't worry. You've got time to figure things out, just trust yourself. Have another look at the assessment guide for your course, that ought to give you at least a bit of guidance on what sort of approach they're looking for

Not read many PP but did you know the group on facebook called ''support for families of alcoholics and addicts''? I think you might be able to do some research on it just reading the posts.

Sorry if I've offended you guys but genuinemy I am struggling

[quote identitytalks]@KarmaViolet that doesn't start till
Next term, I'm trying to
Figure
It out now[/quote]
Your supervisor should be happy to speak to you before the summer so that you can start on it over the summer. Not many undergraduates do this but it is a good idea to get a lot of the thinking and planning done early

It's OK OP, I can't see anything offensive in your posts. Think people are just genuinely concerned that you might be struggling with other stuff, not just your dissertation.

I think you need to set up a meeting, probably via Zoom or similar, with your support person at uni whether a lecturer or in student services.

Hope you're okay.

Hi OP, you've not offended anyone that I can see; just posted in a way that suggests you might not be coping too well right now. Hang in there!

There's no hurry just now, coming to the end of the academic year, to get your dissertation pinned down, especially if you don't have meetings with your supervisor yet. Undergrad dissertations are calculated to be able to be accomplished within the time that you're actually enrolled in that particular module, and your supervisor will be able to guide you, so that your topic is able to be done inside that time. So try not to worry too much just now!

Part of the process is learning the lie of the land, as it were, and learning how to situate your topic within the research landscape. In my experience, most students choose a topic that is initially far, far too big, and spend until Christmas or even later just whittling it down to size, as they become more familiar with the literature. So don't worry too much just now! It's all part of the process. Like some of the other posters, I would suggest starting by searching for academic literature, and just plain reading and taking notes for now. Good luck!