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Rationalising your Data, Discussing Results and Structuring your Dissertation

Critically appraise the main approaches to research design, sampling, analysis and implementation in your area of interest.

  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    8 hours

Discover the integral elements needed to prepare an analytical report.

This course will provide you with the knowledge of how to structure an academic piece of writing. This will include writing an outline, abstract, introduction, body and conclusion.

You will learn the importance of mixing both primary data and secondary data for analysis in research. This will help you to communicate effectively through research proposals and report writing for research funding. You will learn how to structure your dissertation carefully and how to avoid plagiarism.

What topics will you cover?

  • Writing a discussion section
  • Writing an effective abstract
  • The difference between primary and secondary data
  • Triangulating different research approaches and data sources
  • Avoiding plagiarism

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Explore elements of good writing
  • Describe the difference between primary and secondary data
  • Assess the role of triangulation when combining disparate data
  • Identify the importance of good time management when preparing research

Who is the course for?

This course is for people that want to greater understand data, openly discuss their findings and have an interest in writing dissertations and academic papers.

Please note that the individuals detailed in the ‘Who will you learn with?’ section below, are current staff members and may be subject to change.

Who will you learn with?

I am senior lecturer in disaster management at Coventry University. I am interested in pedagogy for emergency and crisis response training/exercises and risk communication.

Who developed the course?

Coventry University

Coventry secured 5 QS Stars for Teaching and Online Learning in the QS World University Ranking 2020 and has received No. 1 in the world for Massive Open Online Courses in MoocLab’s World University Ranking 2021.

  • Established

    1992
  • Location

    Coventry

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

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