Dissertation basics: Core Humanities Notes for LLM

Dissertation Basics – Core Humanities (LLM)

Purpose of these notes – Quickly recall what a dissertation is, why it matters for an LLM, and how to structure, research, and write one.

1️⃣ Simple Explanation

A dissertation (or thesis) is a formal, scholarly research project that demonstrates your ability to:

Skill	What it shows
Critical thinking	You can analyse complex legal issues independently.
Research	You know how to locate, evaluate and use sources.
Writing	You can present a coherent argument in a clear, academic style.
Academic integrity	You properly cite all references and avoid plagiarism.

For an LLM, the dissertation usually takes 10–12 weeks and must be 30–35 pages (including references).

2️⃣ Key Points

Stage	What to do	Tips
Topic selection	Pick a niche, contemporary issue, or a gap in the literature.	Avoid overly broad questions; keep it manageable.
Research question	Formulate a clear, concise question that guides the entire project.	Should be answerable and researchable.
Proposal	Outline objectives, methodology, scope, and timeline.	Submit 2–3 weeks before the deadline.
Literature review	Summarise existing scholarship and highlight gaps.	Aim for 3–5 % of total pages.
Methodology	Explain how you will gather and analyse data (case law, statutes, interviews, etc.).	Justify your choice – qualitative, quantitative, comparative.
Structure	Follow a standard format: Intro → Literature → Methodology → Analysis → Conclusion.	Each section should flow logically.
Drafting	Write first draft without worrying about perfection.	Use the “write‑now, edit‑later” mindset.
Citation style	Use the required style (e.g., Oxford, Bluebook, Chicago).	Keep a consistent reference manager (Zotero, EndNote).
Proofreading	Check for grammar, flow, and plagiarism.	Have a peer or tutor review it.
Submission	Upload via the university portal; keep a backup copy.	Confirm formatting and word count before final submission.

3️⃣ Worked Example

3.1 Topic & Question

Topic: The Impact of Digital Evidence on Criminal Jurisprudence in the UK
Research Question: How has the use of digital evidence altered the standard of proof in UK criminal trials over the last decade?

3.2 Outline

Section	Content	Page Target
Title Page	Title, name, degree, supervisor, date	1
Abstract	150‑200 words summarising the study	1
Introduction	Context, significance, research question, thesis statement	3
Literature Review	Key developments in digital evidence, case law, scholarly debate	6
Methodology	Mixed‑methods: doctrinal analysis of 20 landmark cases + semi‑structured interviews with 5 forensic experts	3
Analysis	Comparative case study; thematic coding of interview data	10
Discussion	Synthesise findings; implications for law & policy	4
Conclusion	Restate findings, limitations, future research	2
References	All sources cited in Harvard style	2
Appendices	Interview transcripts, case summaries	2

3.3 Drafting Tips

Draft Stage	Action	Example
First Draft	Write freely; focus on argument flow	“The use of digital evidence has… because…”
Second Draft	Tighten prose, clarify claims	Replace “has had an impact” with “has shifted the burden of proof from the defendant to the prosecution.”
Third Draft	Polish language, check citations	Ensure each claim is supported by a footnote or in‑text citation.

4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary

Dissertation = research project that shows critical, analytical, and academic writing skills.
Steps: Topic → Question → Proposal → Literature → Methodology → Analysis → Conclusion.
Structure: Intro → Literature Review → Methodology → Analysis → Discussion → Conclusion → References → Appendices.
Tips: Keep questions precise, stay within scope, use a single citation style, proofread rigorously, and submit on time.
Common pitfalls: Overly broad topics, weak methodology, inconsistent citations, poor editing.

Pro Tip: Use a timeline (Gantt chart) to track each stage; this keeps you on schedule and ensures you meet all deadlines.

Happy researching and writing!