Dissertation Plan and Structure.

Using linear planning for my dissertation

When using linear planning for your dissertation outline you list your tasks in order of doing them, starting with your first dissertation task through to the end. Linear planning makes for a very clear outline, but it’s more difficult to make changes as you go along than with a concept map. For your linear plan you can use the chapter headings recommended by your supervisor or the headings in the following list:

1. Introduction and rationale:
   ‘Why on earth am I doing this is?’ ‘What led me to this topic?’
   Why am i looking at Psycoanalysis within advertising, what led me to this? 
2. Research question:
   Explain all the terms in the research question so that they’re clear. 
   What is Psycoanlysis explain the basic terms.........
3. Outline of the literature:
   ‘Who are the key thinkers, Bernays, Freud?’ ‘What are the key texts.................... Books im reading?’ ‘What is the underlying theoretical idea?’
4. Research methodologies:
   Pros and cons of different methods, for example, interview, observation, analysis
   Presentation of data – what I’ve found out
   Analysis of data/Discussion of data
5. Main theorists and supporters:
   Counter arguments and supporters
   My own view of the argument (and supporting theorists)
6. Conclusions and suggestions for further research:
   What I have found in relation to the research question
   Ideas for developing the dissertation topic
7. Appendices and bibliography:
   Additional material that would interrupt the flow of writing
   All the references and materials used