Housing research dissertation meeting 3: March 2026 agenda

 Housing research dissertation meeting 3:  March 2026 agenda

1. Visual methodology; photovoice; photo elicitation

2. Archival research

3. Research ethics and ethical forms

4. Progress review

From the module guide

PROGRESS REVIEW PAPER

The purpose of the progress review paper is to extend the work of the earlier research

proposal. It should be a more detailed and exhaustive discussion of the literature

surrounding your research area and your methodology. This paper could form the basis

of the literature review, and methodology, chapters or sections of the dissertation itself.

 

The progress review paper is worth 10% of the total module mark. Again, there is no

specific word limit, but approximately 2,000 words is the kind of length that might be

expected. But note you will not be penalised if your paper is longer than this. You may wish

to consult with your supervisor over this.

The progress review paper should adopt the following format:

Title

State the working title of your dissertation.

Aim(s) of the Research and Research Questions

Provide an overview of the topic. Outline your main aims and objectives. State the

specific research questions that you will attempt to answer. (Individual objectives are

important milestones that are reached on the road to that final goal or aim.)

A discussion of relevant literature

Provide an extended and critical discussion of the relevant literature. This should

demonstrate that you have a clear idea of other published work in your research area

and of the arguments and the range of opinions found within them. You should also

indicate where your study stands in relation to this area of research.

You are not being asked simply to provide a list of relevant books (as you were for

the research proposal), rather you need to identify important texts (academic journal

articles, books, reports etc.) and summarise their arguments and contribution to the

area of research in the form of a coherent and integrated discussion.

Methodology

What is the overall theoretical framework that will inform the dissertation? Explain the

methodological approach you intend taking. Is it predominantly quantitative or

qualitative? What research methods are you going to use to carry out your research?

What primary data will you be collecting? What secondary data sources will you be

using? How is the information to be used? What form of analysis will be used? What

are the main ethical issues that the project raises? Justify your approach and

consider what the limitations are. How is the dissertation going to be structured?

List of References

A ‘Harvard-referenced’ list of all references/sources cited in the progress review

paper.

All dissertations must obtain ethical approval or authorisation before the commencement of any research, even if you do not think there are any ethical issues with your research.

You are required to make your online application.

Dissertation - table of contents template.

You will not normally be granted approval to conduct research that involves children or other vulnerable groups, so if that was your intention you will almost certainly have to consider an alternative research topic.

Also study the 3-step method to develop a dissertation proposal.