Here’s a general outline for an Independent Applied Desktop Research Project/Dissertation.
You can
adapt this based on your research focus and academic requirements:
1. Title Page
- Title of the project/dissertation
- Your name
- Institution
- Date of submission
2. Abstract
- A concise summary (150-300 words) that highlights the research aim, methods, key findings, and
conclusions.
3. Table of Contents
- List of chapters, sections, and page numbers.
4. Introduction
- Background: Provide context for the research.
- Problem Statement: Define the issue or problem you aim to address.
- Research Aims and Objectives: Specify what the project intends to achieve.
- Research Questions: Outline the main questions the research seeks to answer.
- Rationale/Significance: Explain the importance of the study and its potential impact.
- Scope and Limitations: Define the boundaries of the research.
5. Literature Review
- Overview of Existing Research: Summarize relevant theories, frameworks, and studies.
- Gaps in the Literature: Highlight areas where previous research is lacking or inconsistent.
- Theoretical Framework: Introduce the theory or models guiding your research.
6. Research Methodology
- Research Design: Describe the approach (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods) and
rationale.
- Data Sources: Explain the use of secondary data (e.g., open data, R&D studies).
- Data Collection Methods: Detail how you will gather secondary data and whether you will
supplement with primary data (e.g., interviews).
- Data Analysis: Describe how you will analyze both qualitative and/or quantitative data.
- Ethical Considerations: Address any ethical issues, such as data privacy or consent (if using primary
data).
7. Results/Findings
- Quantitative Findings: Present numerical data, statistics, or trends identified in the research.
- Qualitative Findings: Discuss any thematic analysis or case study insights.
- Mixed Methods Integration: Combine and compare quantitative and qualitative findings if using a
mixed methods approach.
8. Discussion
- Interpretation of Results: Analyze and interpret the findings in relation to the research questions.
- Comparison with Existing Literature: Compare your findings with the literature reviewed earlier.
- Implications: Discuss the practical, theoretical, or policy implications of the results.
9. Conclusion
- Summary of Key Findings: Recap the main findings and their significance.
- Answer to Research Questions: Explicitly address the research questions posed in the introduction.
- Recommendations: Provide actionable suggestions for further research, policy changes, or practical
applications.
- Limitations of the Study: Acknowledge any limitations encountered during the research.
10. References
- List all sources cited in the text, following a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Harvard).
11. Appendices (if applicable)
- Additional material such as datasets, questionnaires, or detailed tables that are referenced but too
lengthy to include in the main body of the dissertation.
This outline provides a structured approach to organizing an applied desktop research project, ensuring
that all critical components are covered.
