Dissertation//Dissertation Feedback 241012.

Dissertation feedback in regards to the one-on-one tutorial with Jenny today to discuss my current process and the development of the most recent tasks in which I had to triangulate, evaluate, analyse and paraphrase texts/issues in regards to my dissertation subject matter as a writing practice for the final dissertation draft which is due in in just a few short weeks. 

At this point, although I would ideally like to be a little further along in terms of my written content, I feel as though my head is in the right place, and hope to progress with the same stamina as I have already done. Fortunately, my ideas, on the whole, seem to be going down well, and I hope I can carry on in this manner to have my dissertation completed (more or less!) by the time I return to Uni after the festive break.

Dissertation//Research Sources to Print.

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Online sources to print and research/source for future writing, and samples of text that have proven useful in regards to my sourcing of information for this week's critical writing tasks. 

To print off and present as research sources in my dissertation tutorial later on today.

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Dissertation Tasks//24.10.12.

The completed four dissertation tasks, as originally delivered by dissertation supervisor, Jenny Hutton, in my session last week, looking at starting my critical writing and looking at different ways to evaluate the subject matter within my dissertation.

Currently, I've been really interested in the marketing perspective of the health drinks industry, and will discuss this as a form of direction with Jenny in my tutorial later on today.

Dissertation//Image Sourcing Throughout Dissertation.

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Note to self- discuss with dissertation tutor, Jenny Hutton, about contextual referencing of images through my dissertation, and whether or not it is appropriate to demonstrate visual examples of the text/source examples discussed and analysed, eg. (as shown in this blog post), comparing printed advertising for both Innocent and Feel Good Drinks.

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Dissertation//Dissertation Tutorial I.

Notes from Wednesday's tutorial with Dissertation Supervisor, Jenny Hutton.

In the first session, I explained some of my initial concerns or queries to Jenny, and, as shown below, I really felt that I got so much inspiration, motivation and direction to move on with my research and critical writing. Throughout the next couple of days I hope to extensively research my subject matter and reading source material as well as to complete my written tasks in time for the Wednesday tutorial session next week.

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NOTES

- Look at Propaganda, Not-for-Profit.
- Charity influence on health drinks industry, NHS (Stop smoking campaign, propaganda influence).
- Not-so-Innocent companies jumping on the Bandwagon- investigate these, eg Feel Good Drinks (high sugar, too late on the bandwagon).
- Look at National effect of the industry.

- Look outside of my themes, look at Branding, Typography, Marxist theories, etc- triangulate.
- Look at market, socio economic and time launched.
- Look outside industry at market changers- BODY SHOP, DYSON, etc.
- Examine how the industry has changed and the contemporary "normalities" of product design- environmentally friendly, recyclable, etc.
- Talk to the consumers of Innocent for feedback and primary research.
- Look for innovators in packaging and sustainability, market leaders.

- BIG KNIT campaign- what do people DO with the hats afterwards? Do the gimmicks work?
- What is the zeitgeist now as opposed to when Innocent launched in the late 90's?

- Bring all research and printed notes for next week's session.

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TO DO

FOR TUESDAY 24/10
CRITICAL WRITING

Paragraph on:

1. Triangulate a breadth of sources/link/theories

2. Evaluate strengths/weakness of Innocent/subject matter

3. Analyse (ie packaging design)

4. Paraphrase (article or book)

GENERAL

- Look for industry competitors to evaluate (e.g Feel Good Drinks)
- Research into 2000 (ish) Zeitgeist, economics, politics and health- did this influence the market?
- Market research into views of the brand/brand name, visual identity, etc.
- What is the next big brand? Look at current zeitgeist.
- Research the brand philosophy of Innocent and what they have done effectively in promoting their brand and ethical and sustainable pledges. 
- Research McDonalds as the majority shareholder of Innocent and link to the bourgeoisie capitalist industry, Marxist theories, etc.
- Research other industries- eg Dyson and The Body Shop and how they revolutionised the market.

Dissertation Lecture//Critical Analysis.

Notes from today's optional Critical Analysis Dissertation Lecture, which I hope will help me to develop and critically structure my future dissertation writing drafts.

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NOTES

- Dictionary Definitions- 'Critic', 'Criticism', 'Critical'.
To find faults, become analytical without bias.

- Being critical is about being rational and using rational thinking. 
- Reasoned Thinking- 'Stepping away' and using evidence and logic to come to your conclusions. You can have opinions and argue for a case, but the argument has to be backed up by evidence and the ultimate decision has to come from an objective process and reasoned writing style.

- Have awareness of perspectives. You may feel passionate about a subject, but you require reasoning.
- There's more than one way to approach a subject.

- Perspectives you may encounter- Marxist, Neolibralism, etc. Asking different questions and themes will lead you to different answers. Consider the approach and what you hope to achieve.
- With questions there are also counter-questions.

- You don't NEED a balanced argument, it can appear "weak". Have an opinion, and then back it up with as much philosophical and evidenced writing as possible.

- Consider different points of view before you reject them. Think about topics from as many different angles as possible.
- REMEMBER, no text is neutral, there is always an agenda. This about the cultural, political and contextual situations of the text.
- Consider your own biases and why you're writing. CONTEXT, CONTEXT, CONTEXT. EVERYTHING has a context.

- Consider the influence of one of more of the following: The time, the place, society, politics, economics, technology, philosophy, scientific thought..

EVIDENCE- What is the evidence for what you are saying? Every time you want to make a judgement, support it.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS IS: EVIDENCE, REASON, LOGIC, ARGUMENT
IF THERE'S NO ARGUMENT, THERE'S NO DISSERTATION

ARGUMENT

- What do you want to say and communicate it? What evidence do we find, and where do we find it?

TRIANGULATION

The art of pitting alternate theories against the same body of data.
We need to steak our argument and then give proof to your argument, whilst triangulating other sources and opinions, but, again, refer back to your opinion and back it up.

Notes on practice academic writing will be posted onto moodle, with ways to refer and practice triangulation.

A CLEAR LOGICAL PLAN

- Keep it simple- refine what you want to say and focus on the key issues.
- Look into your key issues in depth and bring in the maximum evidence in to support your views.
- Discuss your issues and the evidence you have found in a clear and logical manner.
- Move from the general to the specific.

Critical Analysis of a text step-by-step guide on eStudio **LOOK & READ**
CHECK OUT SECTION IN THE LIBRARY ABOUT CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Dissertation//Dissertation Briefing with Richard Miles.

Notes from today's dissertation briefing, as delivered by head of Contextual Studies, Richard Miles.

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NOTES

SUPERVISION TUTOR: JENNY HUTTON

- Level 6 dissertation information on Moodle, inc. handbook
- Guidance notes- blog (tell you how to structure your referencing)
- Harvard Referencing guide on Moodle
- Dissertation word count
- Submission of work
- Check out and blog all info

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- Critical Studies office, G06 (Richard Miles)
- ALWAYS get in touch with Jenny through emails.. jenny.hutton@leeds-art.ac.uk
- Entitled to 4 hours contact with supervision tutor.
- This group briefing is classed as our first hour.
- 6 30 minute tutorials- USE WISELY
- All tutorials need to be booked in advance via Moodle- you sign up for a time (see dissertation information).
- If you are 15 minutes late for a tutorial, it's classed as a non-attendance.

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- Drafts must be submitted at least 3 working days in advance to guarantee feedback in a tutorial session.
- 1st tutorial (8th Oct w/c), Bring records of research so far. Essay structure discussed.
- 2nd tutorial (w/c 15t Oct, 22nd Oct), Progress of research/sample of critical writing.
- 3rd tutorial (w/c 5th Nov, 12th Nov, 19th Nov), Suggested deadline for draft of two chapters.
- 4th tutorial (w/c 26th Nov, 3rd Dec, 10th Dec), Planning for research over Xmas. Advice on reworked draft.
- 5th tutorial (w/c 7th Jan, 14th Jan), Tutorial on reasonably finished draft.
- 6th tutorial (w/c 21st Jan, 28th Jan, 4th Feb), Check title, presentation, bibliography and other details.

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- E LEARNING TUTORIALS/GROUP TUTORIALS CAN OFTEN BE NEGOTIATED AS A REPLACEMENT TO STANDARD TUTORIALS WITH YOUR TUTOR.
- Jenny's tutorial times are now up on Moodle and are bookable.

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- THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2013 DEADLINE (Signed into the administration Office, G23, see estudio).
- 2 bound copies and CD copy required... 19 WEEKS TOMORROW.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

- Research (30)
- Critical Analysis (30)
- Understanding and link between theory and practice (25)
- Academic conventions (15) [REFERENCING, BOUND, FORMAT, GRAMMAR... "GIFT MARKS"]

...

- TRIANGULATE sources.
- Apply theory to investigate visual culture.

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WHAT MAKES A GOOD DISSERTATION?

- A solid underlying methodology (topic and research methodology and rationale... evaluated, critiqued and supported... the take and way to investigate it).
- Critical depth and critical balance (You can have an opinion, as long as you can back it up... it should be clear and unambiguous).
- ACADEMIC writing, intellectual depth.
- A clear, logical progression/argument and development.
- TRIANGULATION... link sources, look at a topic from at least 3 sides, a third argument would side with one or the other, therefore, helping form a substantial and evidenced argument.

- Intro, 750 words
- Conclusion, 1000 words

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STRUCTURE

- Roughly 4 chapters.
- Plan a structure in your first tutorial.
- Don't be too ambitious.
- Move from the general to the specific.
- FOCUS.

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WRITING GUIDES

- "A short guide to writing about art" book.
- "Doing your research project" book (case studies, questionnaires, etc.)

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FAQ

- Word count excludes... Extended quotations (2 lines or more, separated from body of text and indented).
- Bibliography
- Title page
- List of illustrations
- Appendices (Emails, interview notes, reports based on primary research, etc.)
- Small quotes in text (fragmentary in prose) ARE included in the word count.

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BOOKS & SOURCES
Look in Blackwell's book store..

- Icon guides 
- A very short introduction series 

... Broad overviews of complex theories

- Google Books (scanned books and texts online)

SOURCES

- athens.ac.uk (e-Books, and e-Journals).
- Leeds Met & Brotherton (Leeds Uni) library for referencing.

- JSTOR Journals, specific, and to the point.