Anyone failed a dissertation or research project?

[Rainedere]

I think I've come to the realisation that I'm not cut out for university. I have too many responsibilities at home and not enough time to dedicate to my studies.

I'm in the process of collecting data for a simple (and crap imo) idea with easy stats that I've forgotten most of and would need to use to manipulate my data. I'm so thick, I'm not sure why i didnt opt for the BA version of my degree instead. I got 55% for my year so I'm probably on track for a 2:2 or lower.

I havent done much reading for my project either and finding it hard to find relevant literature. Again, this is very time consuming.

I feel like packing it in now. I'm old and never had a career. I only have 1 child, a 5 year old, so it's not like I've spent my 20s raising a family. Approaching 30 soon and I've achieved nothing.

I dont know what to do

It doesn't matter if (you think) your topic is boring. I recall when I was doing my M.A. dissertation, we were told that the examiners wouldn't be looking for exciting and groundbreaking research topics. What they would be looking for was for us to demonstrate that we had a grasp of research methods and presentation. 'It's just an exercise' our tutors said.

When you read something, I expect you pay close attention to the footnotes and bibliography? Following up references often leads to sources you might not otherwise have found.

You should also be able to ask for an extension to give you more time -you need to talk to your supervisor & there is nothing wrong in using ref from sociology as an additional reference

& contact your subject librarian for advice on other sources for your research - be precise about what you are doing they are brilliant!

Yes! Often you can send your work to the library and they will read it and give suggestions for improvement.

OP, you say you're not finding much relevant literature. Keep trying, using the suggestions others have made above. But you can also talk about gaps in the literature...why there might not be much...what emergent literature you would expect to see in the future.

You're not expected to cover everything in your study. Say what you might do differently another time, say that it's a small specific study so there had to be exclusions. You can say 'it would be useful to see further studies on XXXX in the future, because...etc'

Ask for an extension, talk to your supervisor.... have a go at submitting, you'll probably get there. Best of luck.

@Faraway20 my DD is at school from 9am-3:15pm. I work 1-2 days a week.

@mummytoCSJH That must be tough but you're getting through. I fucking hate bayesian stats too.

@bottleofbeer yes it's lab report style

@bottleofbeer

If you dont mind, could I please read your dissertation?

Yes of course you can. PM me your email address and I'll send it.