Final Blog Post

a) What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

There is a lot of literature on my topic, so it was quite overwhelming looking through them and trying to find the most useful for me. I didn’t really know where to start in narrowing down my ideas.

b)What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?

Talking with my supervisor was helpful as she gave me some examples of leading historians in my research area. Using the advance search on Jstor was also really helpful as it helped me sift through the sources quicker and more effectively.

c)What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?

I’ve learned to become much more efficient when I am using sites like Jstor in order to find the best and most relevant information for my topic.

d)Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

The seminars and examples for the dissertation proposal and methodology assignment were very useful as they helped provide me with a structure for my own. Also, the seminars on how to use archives was extremely useful because I wasn’t really good at using them before. Lastly, just generally getting me to start thinking seriously about my dissertation as I hadn’t really thought enough about it beforehand whereas, now I have a much clearer idea and structure.

Aidan Mooney – Final Reflection

What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

My initial obstacle was deciding on a subject for this project. I had a few ideas but after choosing to focus on nationalism in nineteenth century Europe I still had a difficult time narrowing this down into specific research questions. From there I was faced with sorting through the huge amounts of literature that have been produced on nationalism, both history and theory. Additionally, being stuck with online only resources meant some material was not available to me.

What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?

To overcome these problems, I have had to become better at quickly deciding what is or is not relevant to my project when reading. To be able to do so I have had to improve my critical reading. I have changed approach when using online search tools to narrow results and find more relevant or specific material and used the bibliographies of relevant texts as a means of finding new ones. Discussions with my supervisor from an early stage were also helpful.

What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?

The need to engage in a clear methodology is an important aspect that I had never really considered before but now know is essential. I know that I will have to undertake large amounts of background reading to get to grips with such a wide topic and so am better prepared for that. The reality of having to start this project over the summer is now also clear.

 Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

Having conversations with a supervisor from an early stage was particularly helpful. Examples of assessments given in seminars, particularly the literature review and the reading from that week, meant we had a clearer idea of what was expected of us. Finally, I think carrying out the literature review allowed me to get a better grip on my topic area and was something I found very useful.

What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

I found the methodology component tricky, as it felt like a lot of jargon. This meant that I misunderstood components for the first essay, which was reflected in my grade. Moreover, I found it hard at times to figure out what methodology was used by historians in their articles and books. However, I feel that I’ve got to grips with it now.

In addition, I found a lot of the theoretical approaches to my subject quite dry, which made it a chore to study. Nonetheless, I recognise the importance to theory in maintaining originality to my research question.

Caitlin Stevenson- Final review

A) What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?
One of the first obstacles I faced was actually narrowing down what I wanted to research within my topic. I wanted to research a topic within the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960’s however as this covers a range of different things, I struggled to come up with a question. Another obstacle I faced was coming to terms and understanding what primary sources I would use and which ones would be more easily accessible. I have planned to use newspapers in my dissertation, however it was a struggle to decide which few I should pay close attention to and making sure that I was able to access what I needed.

b) What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?
After doing a lot of research and figuring out what I would be best at, I was able to come up with a question which would suit me best. I was also given the help and opinions of my tutor, who really did help me to write the question which I would find most interesting in writing about. When it came to looking at primary sources, I made sure to do as much research as I possibly could and was successful on deciding which two newspapers I would be looking at. I also made sure that these newspaper archives would be easily accessible to me, making it much easier.

c) What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?
After being faced with a number of obstacles and overcoming them, I have realised that it is important to be organised and to make sure that I am putting in as much research as I possibly can in order to make it easier for myself. By doing all of this, it will make my dissertation writing less stressful as I should be prepared as much as I possibly can be.

d) Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

I would say the 9X6 module has made me realise how much work will be involved and required of me to produce the best dissertation that I can. I feel it has given me a very good head start to thinking more about the dissertation and means that I hopefully won’t be as stressed out when it comes to it. It has also allowed me to gather a great bibliography of primary and secondary sources, making me feel more prepared.

Nicola Hamilton – Final Reflection

What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

At the beginning of the module I found it difficult to narrow my research topic down as I wanted to study gender history but was not sure which time period to focus on. After narrowing my research down to women in the First World War, I was able to choose a specific area in Scotland to carry out my research. However, the two newspapers I would like to look at require an online subscription, so I am trying to find access to these newspapers elsewhere. Also as I am looking at the period 1914-1918, I may become overwhelmed with information as there is a lot available to me.

What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?

Upon further research I have found a library not too far from where I live which stores the archives for both the newspapers I am intending to research. However, being able to go into libraries is still uncertain due to the pandemic so I will need to keep an eye on changing government restrictions for when I can go into the library. After speaking to my supervisor I am going to develop a strategy of how I am going to look at newspapers so that I do not get overwhelmed (eg. pick one article for every month instead of looking at every week).

What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?

I think it is extremely important to do research over summer as it will take a bit of pressure off you come September. Also if I am unable to gain access to the newspapers I would like to look at, I will be able to alter my question over summer, whereas if I left research until September I will be very stressed trying to change my topic.

Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

I think the module helped with breaking the dissertation down over the course of the semester. I feel prepared to carry my research on throughout summer as I know exactly what is expected of me. I also think the meetings with our supervisors early on was helpful as it allowed for students to get in contact from an early stage. The proposal essay has also put me in a good position for research as I have also found a lot of useful secondary material through JSTOR and university materials.

Blog Post

What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

One of the major obstacles I had was underestimating the importance of primary sources for the dissertation, thus one of the initial topics I would have liked to focus on would have required me to speak a different language. Speaking only English, this seemed like it would confine my topic to British history. Additionally, I feel like I was extremely overwhelmed in the first few weeks of this module, particularly coming up to the first assignment.

What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?

For the first obstacle, I found talking to other tutors about other possible topics which gave me ideas on other topics that would be feasible, especially with my supervisor who gave me good suggestions. For the second obstacle I feel like I am still a bit overwhelmed with this but talking to other students I am not alone. I think that I have a better understanding and not as overwhelmed as I was at the start of the module, with the help of an enthusiastic tutor and engaging seminars, this has definitely helped.

What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?

This has taught me to set self-deadlines and form a detailed plan for the dissertation. This is something I will hopefully work on at the start of summer to ensure I am meeting certain deadlines for myself. Also, planning for the dissertation will ensure I am meeting deadlines and ensuring I keep focus. Also, this has taught me to not dive headfirst into the dissertation, with the help of planning it will provide a practical strategy on how to approach the dissertation.

Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

 

I feel like the assignment seminars have been the most helpful for preparing ourselves ready to start. Providing examples gives us an idea on how to approach the assignments and putting us into breakout rooms on Big Blue Button assessing examples has helped prepare for the assignments. I feel like the other seminars on methodology and historiographical traditions also helped for theory, although topics like postmodernism can be quite confusing. Also, starting early in choosing a supervisor and topic and having a dissertation module feel like it has prepared us well for advancing us into our final year, having spoke to other students in different universities, not all of them have a module similar to help prepare them.

Darren Morgan

Final Reflection

My research project will assess women’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

a) What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?
One of the major obstacles that I have faced when approaching this topic is finding original photographs. I am planning on using a lot of photographs for this topic, especially for the March on Washington in 1963 was widely publicised. However, even though it is a good media to use finding original negatives have been hard. Not for the lack of them but the accessibility to them.

b) What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?
To overcome this, I have been searching many different archival sources in America and I have started to contact some of them in order to see if they can help me. However, some of these people can’t help me. So I will have to find some other way to fix this obstacle.

c) What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?
This has taught me that I need to think about how I will plan to proceed, this will obviously be a long process. But I am hopeful that I will be able to find the things I need for my dissertation. I also think moving forward I should keep in contact more with my supervisor and also my peers in order to stay motivated.

d) Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?
I found that putting students in contact with our supervisors from the beginning was extremely helpful. Also, the seminars that have been about the assignments are very clear and I also liked having the examples and grading them ourselves to see what was needed of us.

Final Reflection

a) What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

The first major obstacle I faced when attempting to put together a research project was determining a topic to focus on. I had decided to focus on an area surrounding the history of Native North Americans as I find this area of history extremely interesting. As I study Heritage and Tourism it felt very fitting to apply this interest in Native North American history to Museology. Upon the decision to put together a research project which focuses on the repatriation of Native North American indigenous objects from Scottish museums, I found the broad area of scholarship intimidating. This is due to the need to read scholarship on a wide range of areas such as the history of museums, perceptions of the traditional museum and developments occurring to actively decolonise the traditional museum, the collection and exhibition of ethnographic collections, repatriation policy and procedure in the United States and United Kingdom, specific case study examples of such repatriation from Scottish museums and the history and origins of such repatriated objects. As these broad areas of scholarship have required such in-depth reading to fully familiarise myself with the current debates and developments, this topic choice has proven to be a real challenge. It has however been a very rewarding and interesting process.

b) What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?

To overcome these obstacles, I have been in regular contact with my supervisor who has recommended useful sources on my topic. I have also begun to compile and put together my bibliography as well as a word document of information from these sources in order to cover these scholarly areas fully. For the first time I have started to regularly click and collect books from the library which has helped me to compile my bibliography and information on specific scholarly areas. By doing this so early in the dissertation process it has alleviated much of the pressures and stress I was previously experiencing when intimidated by such a broad area of scholarship. Additionally, by doing this I now feel on track and confident to begin delving into my dissertation over the summer.

c) What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?

This has taught me that preparation and organisation is key. With having a tendency to rely on the pressures of impending deadlines for motivation, I have learned the importance of being proactive. This has also taught me the necessity of being interested in your chosen dissertation topic as at times with so many sources to read it can become a very daunting process.

d) Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

It would be difficult to determine aspects of the 9X6 module which have not been useful in helping to get my dissertation project ready to start. In my opinion all aspects of this module have been significantly useful in starting this project. However, since contacting my supervisor I have been able to narrow and develop my dissertation topic and gain extremely useful advice on such matters. Furthermore, seminars have been very useful by being able to speak to other students in breakout rooms and discuss different aspects of the dissertation project each week. The mini lectures have also aided my understanding of the dissertation writing process and have made me consider the importance of methodology which I had not considered prior to this module.

Final Reflection – Amy Anderson

a) What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

Although it is excellent that a vast variety of the primary material I will use in my dissertation – newspapers, periodicals, and satirist journals – can be accessed online (especially with fluctuating Covid-19 restrictions), I have found scouting specific material very overwhelming, and I believe that this will be an issue I will be faced with later on down the line. Moreover, I have found condensing my research questions and specific aims and objectives rather difficult. I faced great apprehension over missing out on something crucial or making my research questions too specific or too broad. I have found knowing what to read rather challenging though fear of wasting time on something that may not be relevant.

b) What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?

Honing in on which specific press publications to use in my dissertation with the help of my supervisor, whilst developing an effective methodological approach, has made accessing primary material online less of a challenge, and has set me up for the deeper research I will undertake over the summer and in the next academic year. In addition, the support and advice given by the History librarian on advanced search tools and keyword searches have made navigating the ‘Aladdin’s cave’ that is the newspaper database easier. Speaking to my peers and my supervisor has helped greatly in developing my research aims/questions, and consequently, this has helped in knowing what to read. The university library have also been very accommodating in regard to this.

c) What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?

Working by yourself can often cause you to overthink. This results in unnecessary confusion. Thus, though a dissertation is often assumed to be an exclusively individual piece of work, knowing when and who to ask for help and guidance is very important – whether this be your supervisor, librarian, or classmates.

d) Which aspects of the HISU9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

The module itself has been brilliant. I was always a little confused, as were the people who I discussed the module with (friends studying history at other universities, friends in other subjects, family, etc), as to why we were encouraged to start looking at our dissertations at this stage in our undergraduate studies. But, after completing the module, I can’t imagine having to prepare for our dissertations without it. Although I still have some anxiety about the process, which I think is only natural – the seminars, discussions, and assignments in 9X6 (showing examples of previous students’ work was very helpful for completing the assignments) have been imperative for my understanding of what it takes to write a dissertation. This module has made something scary and rather alien, seem familiar. In addition, finding a supervisor at this stage and developing initial rapport with them has made the process far less daunting. I am excited for my dissertation, and I am looking forward to spending the summer researching and developing my subject!

 

Rhys McGowan: Final Reflection

 

a) What have been the major obstacles you have faced in putting a research project together?

One of the major obstacles I had faced at the beginning of my research was choosing an area to research as I had a few in mind, eventually deciding to focus on the first court cases which set slaves free in Britain. Another obstacle faced was combing through the vast amounts of research already done on the wider topic of slavery and finding relevant literature for my dissertation.

b) What strategies have you adopted to overcome these obstacles?

In order to tackle the obstacle of the vast amounts of literature, I adopted the use of key word searches on archives and websites to allow me to narrow my search results down to those relevant. This allowed me to save time and focus more on the reading and analysing of the literature rather than spending more time locating it.

c) What has this taught you about approaching your dissertation?

These obstacles taught me that while there are large amounts of literature written about my wider topic, they are reasonably easy to narrow down in order to find only the sources relevant for my research. Additionally, it has helped me to create a better timescale for how long each stage of the dissertation should take.

d) Which aspects of the 9X6 module have been the most useful in helping you get your project ready to start?

I would say the majority of the 9X6 module has been useful in helping me start my dissertation as it has given me an idea as to how much work is required for the dissertation but has also helped me to develop a preliminary bibliography full of primary and secondary sources which can all be used within my dissertation.